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A Critical Study of Arab Males and Females Interactional Styles in Formal Face- to- Face Conversations When Using English as a Second Language
Hussain Al-Ali,
Katy Mann
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
1-7
Received:
6 January 2019
Accepted:
27 February 2019
Published:
20 March 2019
Abstract: It is obvious that the differences between Arab males and females interactional styles in formal face-to-face conversations when using English as a second language is interesting and uneasy task at the same time. In the light of the current research paper findings, the linguistic styles of males and females are quite different in regard with the conversation function itself, feedback of the conversation, the dominant gender in the whole conversation, some phonological variations and so on. Females prefer avoiding direct disagreement and maintaining the social rapport with other opposite gender. Females also depend on more easy ways or strategies to get the other speakers engaged in the dialogue as possible. Males, regardless of their status and educational level, seem less professional speakers and less cooperative than females seem. The process of communication among males and females; particularly, in the Arab word is complex since it is ruled by social and religious norms. But this process doesn't indicate that understanding their interactional styles in formal face-to-face conversations in a second language is not possible despite the small number of research papers conducted in such a field. However, subcultures play a basic role in distinguishing between males and females in conversation; meaning that if one gender comprehends other's subcultures, he or she will definitely be able to communicate in a much better way. The current research paper interestingly indicates that males are less fusty than females in dialogues as the last ones actually employ more strategies of politeness than males do. The researcher applied a descriptive method which is considered the most appropriate way for this current research paper; it is the method that describes the phenomena or the real situation as it is available in reality. However, more research papers are preferred to be conducted to highlight the differences between Arab males and females' interactional styles in; specially, formal face-to-face conversations in regards with prosodic characteristics just like pitch and intonation since such types of papers are rare in the Arab world.
Abstract: It is obvious that the differences between Arab males and females interactional styles in formal face-to-face conversations when using English as a second language is interesting and uneasy task at the same time. In the light of the current research paper findings, the linguistic styles of males and females are quite different in regard with the co...
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A Descriptive and Historical Analysis of Sanga Traditional Dance of the Asantes
Ronit Akomeah,
Eric Appau Asante,
Nana Ama Pokuaa Arthur
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
8-16
Received:
8 January 2019
Accepted:
27 February 2019
Published:
20 March 2019
Abstract: Asante traditional dances bear and portray some aspects of Asante culture; albeit, less number of these traditional dances are much performed and mostly known within Asante and other places in Ghana and overseas. The internet; being a suggestive abode of information for educational, preservation and other purposes mostly host Adowa, Kete and Fͻntͻmfrͻm amongst the vast number of Asante traditional dances. Sanga is less performed and quite uncommon as it had been orally passed down as a means of preservation. Most people have neglected Sanga and there is basically less knowledge on the dance making it currently recede. This study therefore investigates the problem to understand the embedded meanings behind Sanga dance and to also advance the need and means for the preservation of Sanga traditional dance. In using the qualitative research method, interviews and observation were the main forms of data collection instruments used for the study. Data were collected from the Head of Performing Arts and the Ammamerɛso Agofomma of the Centre for National Culture, Kumasi and the then Ɛntrɛpakuo and the head teacher of the R/C JHS, Atwima Nerebehi. Most respondents are indigenes of the Ashanti Region and had in-depth knowledge on Sanga. A sample size of 16 was selected through purposive and snowball sampling. The results of the study proved that Sanga dance forms part of Asante culture and is mostly embedded in its related cultural elements; appropriate means to accurately document such receding traditional dances are in both photography and video formats. It was recommended that the chiefs and elders of various ethnic groups in Ghana should include receding Ghanaian traditional dances to public gatherings; and bridge the gap of preserving traditional dances by using documentary videos.
Abstract: Asante traditional dances bear and portray some aspects of Asante culture; albeit, less number of these traditional dances are much performed and mostly known within Asante and other places in Ghana and overseas. The internet; being a suggestive abode of information for educational, preservation and other purposes mostly host Adowa, Kete and Fͻntͻm...
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Learners’ Perception of EFL Teachers' Behavior and Knowledge
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
17-22
Received:
30 July 2018
Accepted:
6 December 2018
Published:
15 May 2019
Abstract: This study investigated the importance that students accord to behavior and knowledge of teachers. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire with 28 items, fourteen of them, i.e., the odd ones, representing knowledge, and the other fourteen, i.e., the even ones, representing the behavior of teachers, was designed. The values of responses to each question ranged from 1 to 5. One represented the least important and five represented the most important. Copies of the questionnaire were distributed among 26 B1 (pre-intermediate level) prep school students (17 females and 9 males) who had already spent five months with six different teachers at English prep-school at Uskudar University in Istanbul, Turkey. The data were collected in the second week of the third module in the second semester in 2017-2018 academic year. The collected data were then fed to SPSS. A Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test revealed that there was not a significant difference between the importance of knowledge and behavior of teachers from the points of view of the students who attended the study. A Chi-square test also indicated that gender does not play a significant role in assigning importance to teachers’ behavior or knowledge by students. The findings of this study could be revealing to teachers.
Abstract: This study investigated the importance that students accord to behavior and knowledge of teachers. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire with 28 items, fourteen of them, i.e., the odd ones, representing knowledge, and the other fourteen, i.e., the even ones, representing the behavior of teachers, was designed. The values of responses to each ques...
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Perception of EFL Among Stalk Holders: Four Selected Government Primary Schools of Wolaita and Dawro Zone in Focus, SNNPR, South West Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
23-31
Received:
3 April 2019
Accepted:
14 May 2019
Published:
29 May 2019
Abstract: In a global society, politics, culture and economics are closely interdependent and higher level education has a responsibility to cultivate and equip professionals with the skills to meet the international competitive environment. English is everywhere in Ethiopia’s everyday life, as opposed to indigenous languages, which are mostly hidden. The diffusion of English makes its learning mandatory to aspire to a better social and economic life. Nevertheless, this contextual ‘imposition’ highly influences perceptions and attitudes we have towards English language. This may also create a strong barrier to the whole language learning process. The aims of this study were (1) to identify how stockholders perceive English as a Foreign Language/English as a Second Language (EFL/ESL) teaching learning processes (2) to examine the roles that stockholders play at the required levels at schools, and (3) to investigate factors that contribute to the perception of stockholders in EFL/ESL teaching-learning processes. For this purpose, 267 students were selected from 40 sections and filled the questionnaire. To get 267 students, seven top achieving students were chosen from 40 sections. Moreover, 16 English teachers, 32 parent-teacher association members, 24 school principals, 16 education officials, 16 supervisors and 40 focus group discussants were selected using availability sampling from four schools. Closed- ended and open- ended questionnaire, video-recording, focus group discussions, and semi-structured interviews were used for data gathering, and the data gathered through these tools was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Based on student surveys in four schools, this paper accented positive perceptions and attitudes towards English language learning, and highlighted the past and the effects of linguistic imperialism. However, based on the evidences found onteaching and learning, teaching English in four schools has been unsatisfactory. The findings further revealed that students, parents, teachers, supervisors, educational experts, and school principals have a positive attitude and perception to English language learning, but they reported that there were factors that impede students’ English language learning and the teachers’ classroom pedagogy. The data in this study also showed that well-designed teacher preparation is important as the component of ongoing learning and development, and can be a powerful vehicle for preparing teachersto implement new curriculum and innovative teaching methods. In short, this work opened the discussion on how these attitudes could be managed in the classroom, and offered possible directions for future research in intercultural language learning.
Abstract: In a global society, politics, culture and economics are closely interdependent and higher level education has a responsibility to cultivate and equip professionals with the skills to meet the international competitive environment. English is everywhere in Ethiopia’s everyday life, as opposed to indigenous languages, which are mostly hidden. The di...
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