Issues in Language Studies

ACADEMIC CONFLICTS IN RESEARCH ARTICLE DISCUSSIONS: THE CASE OF INDONESIAN AND MALAYSIAN AUTHORS

2023-08-27T00:47:41+08:00

Since academic authors aim to enhance the value of their current research findings compared to earlier studies, understanding how to convince journal gatekeepers is crucial. This study analysed the use of academic conflict units in English research article discussions (RADs) published in reputable Indonesian and Malaysian journals within the discipline of language education. The analysis employed four academic conflict units as an analytical framework. The results revealed that both Indonesian and Malaysian RADs tended to employ proposing claims (PC), but the other three academic conflict units, namely, inconsistency indicator (II), opposing claims (OC), and conflict resolution (CR) were rarely used. Regarding gaining visibility and recognition in international knowledge sharing, this finding appears to contradict English RADs written by native English authors published in highly reputable journals. It also suggests that authors discuss their research findings by establishing a global context, comparing them with international literature, and concluding their research articles by considering broader impacts. This finding may offer insights into the literature and draw implications for designing academic writing instruction.

EFFECT OF MULTIMODAL LITERACY ON READING ABILITY OF INDONESIAN JAVANESE LEARNERS

2024-02-07T01:20:32+08:00

Over the past few years, the use of multimodal literacy in education has emerged as an effective educational tool in language instruction worldwide. As a result, language instruction methods have been replaced by conventional instruction with multimodal literacy, which has the potential to enhance learners’ engagement and comprehension of reading, particularly Javanese script. This quasi-experimental study aims to determine the effect of using multimodal literacy on reading ability of Javanese script learners and to find out Javanese learners’ attitudes of using multimodal literacy on their reading ability. The sample included 72 language learners at a senior high school in central Java, Indonesia. The pretest and posttest mean scores in Javanese script reading ability between the control group and the experimental group were analysed. The results indicate that the use of multimodal literacy as an approach effectively enhances the ability and fluency of Javanese script reading in underperforming learners. Additionally, learners reported positive attitudes towards multimodal literacy. This study suggests that multimodal literacy may be integrated into the Javanese language curriculum as it is more relevant to students’ learning preferences, and it is more responsive to diverse learning modes.

EFFECT OF SHORT ENGLISH WRITING ACTIVITY ON FACEBOOK ON SCIENCE AND NON-SCIENCE STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE

2023-10-04T07:39:59+08:00

This study compares the Science and Non-Science university students’ performance in a short English writing activity on Facebook. In this mainly quantitative study, 86 Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) Independent and Basic English Users from 4 classes (2 Sciences and 2 Non-Sciences), joined 4 separate Facebook Groups, managed by two class teachers. Each week, the teachers posted a pre-selected topic in the groups and the students were instructed to respond to it. The mean performance of the groups was compared by performing a paired samples t-test and an independent samples t-test of the pre-test and post-test. The post-test revealed a significant improvement in the students’ short writing performance (within groups), but no significant difference was observed between the Science and Non-Science groups’ performance (between groups). Individual interviews with the teachers revealed that both groups of students committed similar grammatical, structural, and vocabulary mistakes, however, the Science students were more active and confident in using the English language in the classrooms. In line with the constructivist view of language learning, the study highlights the importance of teachers’ instructions, feedback, monitoring, and encouragement in improving students’ short writing ability and consistency in writing practice.

ENGLISH-MEDIUM INSTRUCTION PROGRAMME IN MALAYSIA: READABILITY OF SCIENCE TEXTBOOKS USED IN DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS

2024-02-25T09:25:47+08:00

The use of English as a medium of instruction in the teaching of science and mathematics in the Dual Language Programme (DLP) in Malaysia is to increase students’ exposure to English in developing English proficiency to meet globalisation needs. One of the main issues in the implementation of DLP is student readiness to learn science in English. This study examines the readability of primary school science textbooks using Text Inspector to ascertain the difficulty level of the English used. One unit from Year 1 to Year 6 of science textbooks were analysed. The analysis used two features of the Text Inspector: Lexis: EVP and Scorecard. The findings indicate that the language used in science textbooks is beyond CEFR level B2, which suggests that the readability exceeds the primary students’ English proficiency, hence affecting their ability to comprehend the textbooks. In addition, the findings showed that the readability of the science textbooks does not differ much from Year 1 to Year 6. The study found that the readability of the science textbooks used in primary school is inappropriate; hence, proposes policy and pedagogical implications for teachers to support students learning of science in English.

FLIPPED CLASSROOM METHODOLOGY TO IMPROVE ENGLISH WRITTEN COMPREHENSION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION STUDENTS

2024-04-19T13:56:34+08:00

Flipped classroom is a methodology which refers to the teaching process that reverses the way in which the contents of a subject are worked on. Several studies have shown that the flipped classroom methodology increases student participation and interaction with teachers. In this study, we analysed the degree of improvement in students’ English written comprehension after taking a subject in English for a semester using the flipped classroom methodology. A quantitative study was conducted using a written test both at the beginning (pre) and end (post) of the semester to find differences in the results obtained in both tests through direct observation. The study was conducted at a Spanish public university with students of the Early Childhood Education Degree during the last academic year. For the selection of the instrument, checking its external validity relationship, five experts conducted the validation process providing a quantitative assessment on a Likert scale following Lawshe’s content validity relationship model. Results showed a significant improvement in their written comprehension after the data was analysed using the JASP statistical programme. We could observe that the difference in the means obtained in each part of the test and in the overall standing is close to or exceeds the point difference.

GENDER-INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE USAGE IN ACADEMIA: EXPLORING PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS' PERSPECTIVES

2024-04-12T04:15:25+08:00

The utilisation of gender-inclusive language, aimed at promoting equal treatment between men and women, has sparked both positive and negative reactions in Spanish society. Consequently, it has evolved into an ideological issue that transcends linguistic boundaries. This study examines the perceptions of pre-service teachers regarding the use of non-sexist language in the academic environment. Specifically, it analyses the current level of usage and acceptance among the study population, while also investigating the correlation between the language of instruction (Spanish vs. English) and participants’ stance on this matter. Given the ongoing debate surrounding its usage, it is essential to identify the factors that influence the opinions of student teachers. Ad hoc questionnaires were administered to a non-probabilistic sample of 348 undergraduate students from Spain. The results indicated widespread adoption of inclusive language, with most participants considering it necessary in daily life and academia. Non-biased linguistic forms were notably prevalent in the L1 context, and nearly half reported using them to enhance academic performance. Age and academic year did not significantly influence these perceptions, as confirmed by Spearman’s correlation analyses. However, gender and university degree emerged as critical factors, with female participants showing a stronger inclination toward its use for academic purposes.

IMPACT OF TASK-BASED LANGUAGE TEACHING (TBLT) ON ENGLISH SPOKEN PRODUCTION AND INTERACTION AMONG MALAYSIAN PRE-UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

2024-02-12T00:21:48+08:00

This study aims to explore the impact of Task-Based Language Teaching on English-spoken production and interaction among English as a Second Language pre-university students in Malaysia. The quasi-experimental research design involved 63 pre-university ESL students and two ESL teachers from the Centre of Foundation Studies in Management at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Sintok, Kedah. Pre- and post-tests were conducted before and after the Task-Based Language Teaching intervention respectively. Data were also collected using semi-structured interviews, and online questionnaires. Data analysis procedures included a paired sample test, text analysis, thematic analysis and descriptive analysis. The results from the paired sample test revealed no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups. However, the experimental group indicated considerable development in spoken production and interaction in terms of fluency through reduction of fillers and improved speech quality. The thematic and descriptive analysis found that TBLT encouraged the students to enhance their spoken abilities. The findings suggest that although TBLT has the potential to foster greater fluency and deepen students’ engagement in language tasks.

INVISIBLE WOUND: DEPRESSION CONCEPTUAL METAPHORS IN THAI PATIENTS' FACEBOOK POSTS

2024-02-18T14:19:47+08:00

Depressed individuals often use metaphorical expressions to convey their experiences to others. However, research on the conceptual metaphors of depression in the Thai context has been limited. This study aimed to investigate conceptual metaphors for depression. In Facebook posts by depressed Thai patients and explore to identify the most salient conceptual metaphors among them. the study followed the Metaphor Identification Procedure Vrije Universiteit (MIPVU) developed by Steen et al. (2010) and incorporated salience-based metaphor analysis (Kövecses et al., 2015). A total of 659 posts, published in 2023 (comprising a corpus of 56,942 words) were collected from a Thai Facebook group dedicated to mental illnesses. The findings revealed ten conceptual metaphors reflecting the metaphorical conceptualisation of depression. Three of these were found to be the most salient: depression is an opponent, depression is a journey, and depression is a wound. These metaphors illustrate Thai patients’ perceptions of depression as a struggle, a personal journey, and a psychological wound. This study provides insights into how depressed Thai patients conceptualise depression, contributing to a better understanding of depression in Thai mental healthcare communication.

KONTAK DAN PERUBAHAN DIALEK: TINJAUAN TERHADAP MALAYIK HULU SEMENANJUNG

2024-05-13T12:57:50+08:00

Pemodenan Malaysia telah mempercepatkan perubahan dialek tradisional, dan ini dicerap menerusi peralihan struktur linguistiknya daripada yang kompleks kepada yang umum dan mudah. Berpandukan perspektif kontak dialek menerusi proses pelevelan, makalah ini membincangkan perubahan yang dialami oleh beberapa dialek tradisional Malayik hulu Semenanjung akibat kontak dengan dialek hilir. Antara dialek yang dianalisis ialah dialek hulu Kelantan, dialek hulu Dungun, dialek hulu Kedah dan dialek hulu Pahang. Makalah ini menegaskan bahawa faktor terpenting yang melatari perubahan dalam dialek yang dikaji ialah kontak yang ternatijah daripada migrasi daripada kawasan hilir ke kawasan hulu dan pedalaman. Secara tabii, migrasi tidak sekadar membawa batang tubuh manusia, tetapi yang turut ikut serta ialah bahasa yang dituturkan. Justeru, migrasi berdaya menghasilkan kontak dialek. Kemudian, kontak mewujudkan peminjaman antara dialek. Proses pelevelan beroperasi serempak dengan peminjaman, iaitu apabila dialek yang meminjam menstrukturkan sistem linguistiknya untuk disesuaikan dengan sistem linguistik dialek peminjam. Keempat-empat dialek yang dikaji sememangnya mematuhi peraturan ini, justeru menampakkan trajektori perubahan yang menuruti sistem linguistik dialek yang dipersepsikan lebih berprestij di sesebuah kawasan, iaitu dialek hilir, berbanding dengan bahasa piawai atau standard. Tuntasnya, makalah ini menawarkan kelihan yang menguntaikan fenomena perubahan dialek dengan kontak akibat migrasi. Kelihan ini menampilkan tafsiran baru tentang trajektori difusi dialek berdasarkan model heteronomi.

LANGUAGE CONTESTATION AT BOROBUDUR TEMPLE, THE WORLD’S LARGEST BUDDHIST TEMPLE

2023-12-08T05:42:56+08:00

This study aims to explore various types of public signs with different uses, designs, and materials to determine the contestation of local, national, and international languages in the Borobudur Temple area, particularly in relation to ideology and identity. Public signs were photographed on December 20, 2022. A total of 299 photos were analysed using linguistic landscape theories based on a qualitative descriptive method with techniques of quantification of qualitative data and interpretive descriptions. The results showed 28 types of signs. The most common public signs are of the Top-down type, with Indonesian being the most widely used language. This represents a solid national identity because Indonesian is the language of unity and the lingua franca of the entire Indonesian nation. English is the second most frequently used language at the Borobudur Temple, a well-known international tourist site. Other than Indonesian and English, Javanese language and script, which reflect local identities, are little used on public signs. The findings suggest that local language seems to be marginalised.

PUZZLINGUISTICS: A TYPOLOGY OF LUDIC LANGUAGE BASED CLUES FOR IN-GAME PUZZLES IN ROLE-PLAYING GAMES

2024-02-13T20:54:34+08:00

Hundreds of role-playing video games have been produced since the creation of the first title of the genre, Dungeons and Dragons, in 1974. These titles incorporate one common feature in the genre, puzzle. In designing a puzzle which primarily revolves around its major element which is clue design, language contributes to the playfulness and playability of the game itself. This study attempts to explore the roles of ludic language in designing clues with regards to the user’s functions of the games. The study employed Crystal’s ludic language, Danesi’s puzzling language, Caillois’ ludus theory, Huizinga’s play function, and Aarseth’s user functions on twenty-three role playing video games or commonly abbreviated as RPGs and their sub-genres. The study further proposes a typology of clues. This typology comprises clues which are orbital, conditional, collocative, referential, indicative, reflective, reversal, and signalling. Game developers could employ the results of this study as a consideration in designing puzzles in video games especially role-playing video game genres.

SINTAKSIS KATA GANTI NAMA DALAM BAHASA KINTAQ

2023-12-27T06:45:09+08:00

Makalah ini membincangkan tentang Kata Ganti Nama (KGN) yang wujud dalam bahasa suku Kintaq di Perak menerusi analisis sintaksis. KGN merupakan penanda untuk mewakili orang yang sedang bercakap, orang yang mendengar dan orang ketiga yang dimaksudkan dalam sesuatu perbualan. Pengkaji telah mengadakan kajian lapangan ke penempatan yang didiami oleh penutur natif Kintaq iaitu Kampung Bukit Asu, Lenggong, Perak. Kajian ini akan menumpukan kepada setiap kategori Kata Ganti Nama Diri (KGND), iaitu KGND Pertama, KGND Kedua dan KGND Ketiga suku Kintaq. Data yang diambil ialah data primer kerana data ini telah dikumpulkan melalui kaedah temu bual penutur natif suku Kintaq semasa pengkaji menjalankan kajian lapangan. Hasil kajian mendapati terdapat lapan leksikal KGN secara keseluruhannya. Pecahan leksikal tersebut ialah tiga KGND Pertama, dua KGND Kedua dan tiga KGND Ketiga. Program Minimalis juga membantu kajian ini untuk memberikan fitur kepada KGN Kintaq yang mempunyai kasus nominatif, akusatif mahupun genetif apabila berada pada kedudukan tertentu dalam ayat.

UNVEILING STUDENTS’ VOICE ON LECTURERS’ CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT IN VIRTUAL ENGLISH MEDIUM INSTRUCTION

2024-03-20T14:51:52+08:00

A private university in Indonesia has implemented English Medium Instruction (EMI) classes in order to support internationalisation programmes. This policy entails using English as the instructional language in the classroom. This case study examined the teaching practices of seven content lecturers from the Biology, Physics, Mathematics, and Primary Education Departments in EMI classes, focusing on classroom management. Additionally, it explored 208 students’ perceptions in this setting. Data were collected through class observations, questionnaires, and interviews. The findings suggest that effective classroom management by lecturers leads to increased student participation and engagement. The lecturers employed various organisational, teaching management, and teacher-student relationship strategies to manage their classrooms. These findings provide valuable insights into maximising classroom management in an EMI setting, which can enhance critical reflection and support the implementation of EMI classes. The study also highlighted the students' perception of participation and interaction in the class, confirming that lecturers who lack effective teaching skills and multimodal strategies result in passive learning among students.