Being able to speak or communicate orally is an ultimate goal for most English language learners. Thus, teaching speaking is a main component of the curriculum in most communicative-based English language classrooms. However, teachers struggle to teach speaking in English language classrooms. Two main reasons contribute to this struggle:…

Guided by Dynamic Systems Theory (DST) and multidimensional perspectives on individual differences (IDs) in instructed second language (L2) learning (e.g., Larsen-Freeman, 2014; Sun & Zhang, 2020), this longitudinal mixed-methods study focuses on three conceptually different categories of L2 learners' IDs: working memory (WM), motivation, and…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the minimally detectable change (MDC) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of a decline in speech sentence intelligibility and speaking rate for individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We also examined how the MDC and MCID vary across severities of dysarthria. Method:…

To disagree well, one first must listen. Listening conveys respect of the person speaking, especially when your listening includes restating ideas to confirm understanding and let the speaker know you are making this effort. Most of us know this, but still can get caught in angry, argumentative, or defensive engagements. You may know someone who…

Purpose: Visual recognition of interrupted text may predict speech intelligibility under adverse listening conditions. This study investigated the nature of the linguistic information and perceptual processes underlying this relationship. Method: To directly compare the perceptual organization of interrupted speech and text, we examined the…

This study aimed to know whether the use of online communicative speaking tasks can enhance the speaking skills of the ninth graders of a private junior high school in Mungkid, the Province of Central Java, and how well their speaking skills improved. This research was action research that was divided into four stages. Those were reconnaissance,…

Parents of children who are newly identified as deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) face many decisions surrounding communication and intervention, including where to receive early intervention (EI) services. This study explored the experiences and perspectives of parents of DHH children enrolled in a center-based, family-centered EI program focused on…

With advances in technology, intelligent personal assistants (IPAs) have become available to assist users with a variety of tasks using voice commands. Because IPAs may induce dialogic interactions, researchers speculated that they may benefit second language learning, especially regarding pronunciation, listening and speaking skills. So far, very…

Purpose: Brain imaging has provided puzzle pieces in the understanding of language. In neurologically healthy populations, the structure of certain brain regions is associated with particular language functions (e.g., semantics, phonology). In studies on focal brain damage, certain brain regions or connections are considered sufficient or…

This study sought to investigate the impact of using Cambly, a computer-mediated communication tool, on the speaking proficiency of English as a foreign language (EFL) learners. Further, it aimed to explore the participants' perceptions of using Cambly. The study employed an experimental design featuring a mixed-methods approach to data collection…

In recent years, educators have started to use innovative pedagogies in response to the changing trends of language learning towards developing great proficiency, as the conventional approaches could no longer improve proficiency due to the interactive nature of language skills. Therefore, it is believed that the Flipped Learning (FL) approach, as…

Young children's speech and communication skills have been in the spotlight in recent years, often in association with parental socio-economic status and children's 'readiness' for school. Finding innovative and open-ended ways to encourage children with communication difficulties to engage in interactive play was the premise for this action…

English speaking proficiency requires more than knowing its grammatical and semantic rules. It also includes the knowledge of how native speakers of one language use the language in the context of structures of interpersonal exchange, within which many factors interact. Critical thinking is the deliberate determination of whether we should accept,…

This study was aimed at revealing pedagogical practices of experienced vocational English language teachers, focusing on their lesson planning as well as teaching and classroom management practices, and to understand why they act the way they do. Data were collected through interviews with 5 selected experienced vocational English language…

Over the last several decades, graduate students from engineering courses have faced a challenge of regular rejections in the work market despite their outstanding academic qualifications. In response to this challenge, many universities across the globe have introduced in their curricula the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses tailored to…