This research study employed a mixed-methods approach to investigate the test takers’ perceptions and anx- iety in relation to an English language proficiency test called Community English Program (CEP). This study also evaluated the direct and semi-direct modes for speaking module of this test. To this end, 300 Eng- lish as Foreign Language (EFL) students were recruited in the study as test ta...

<p>In this paper, the English speaking proficiency level of non-native speakers<br />was automatically estimated as high, medium, or low performance. For purpose, speech 142 speakers was recorded and electroencephalography (EEG) signals 58 them were while in English. Two systems proposed for estimating speaker; one used 72 audio features, extracted from signals, other 112 features E...

This study investigated the impact of code-switching on speaking ability of Iranian low proficiency EFL learners. Moreover, it was an attempt to show what functions existed behind code-switching strategies used by the EFL learners. To this end, 60 male and female Iranian EFL learners age-ranged between 20 and 30 participated in the study. Data collection instruments which were used were the Int...

Although lexis research (e.g., Lewis, 1997; Taguchi, 2008) has already evidenced the possibility of teaching formulaic sequences (FS), further research is still needed to examine the procedures or frameworks through which the approach can be applied and probe the second or foreign language (L2) areas where it demonstrates more relevance. This pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study aimed, fir...

The aim of the present study is threefold. The first is that whether there is any difference betweendifferent proficiency level language learners 'use of spatial prepositions. The Second aim is toreveal that if the native language of the participants has any effect on applying the appropriateprepositions and also to find which spatial preposition is difficult to acquire. The present paperexamin...

We have developed an automated method that predicts the word accuracy of a speech recognition system for non-native speech, in the context of speaking proficiency scoring. A model was trained using features based on speech recognizer scores, function word distributions, prosody, background noise, and speaking fluency. Since the method was implemented for non-native speech, fluency features, whi...

A critical period for language learning is often defined as a sharp decline in learning outcomes with age. This study examines the relevance of the critical period for English-speaking proficiency among immigrants in the USA. It uses microdata from the 2000 US Census, a model of language acquisition and a flexible specification of an estimating equation based on 64 age-at-migration dichotomous ...