• Journal of Information Processing Systems
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.535-548
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• 2022

Using a rich resource language to classify sentiments in a language with few resources is a popular subject of research in natural language processing. Burmese is a low-resource language. In light of the scarcity of labeled training data for sentiment classification in Burmese, in this study, we propose a method of transfer learning for sentiment analysis of a language that uses the feature transfer technique on sentiments in English. This method generates a cross-language word-embedding representation of Burmese vocabulary to map Burmese text to the semantic space of English text. A model to classify sentiments in English is then pre-trained using a convolutional neural network and an attention mechanism, where the network shares the model for sentiment analysis of English. The parameters of the network layer are used to learn the cross-language features of the sentiments, which are then transferred to the model to classify sentiments in Burmese. Finally, the model was tuned using the labeled Burmese data. The results of the experiments show that the proposed method can significantly improve the classification of sentiments in Burmese compared to a model trained using only a Burmese corpus.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.271-292
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to investigate what English teachers think about what and how to teach culture, as a way of helping students build relevant background knowledge and enhance their motivation in learning English. A total of 300 teachers completed a self-report questionnaire in four areas: (i) their understanding and liking of English-spoken countries, (ii) their use of materials and tools for teaching culture, (iii) their consciousness of teaching culture, and (iv) their needs for culture learning in the teacher-training program. The results show that (i) they think American culture is dominant in EFL but they are much interested in British culture; (ii) they rely on internet most for their cultural experience while they think students get much of the cultural information from textbooks; (iii) they are very much conscious of the importance of teaching culture for improving students' English proficiency; (iv) they want to learn in the teacher training program more about cultural practice, which can be subsumed under the so called 'small c'. The findings suggest that (i) textbooks need to include contents to promote students' cultural awareness and foster intercultural competence, (ii) teachers should use authentic materials with appropriate adaptation, and (iii) a teacher training program should cover a wide range of contents and skills for teaching culture.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.219-245
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• 2011

This case study aims to investigate how a primary English teacher's professional development was pursued through novice teacher mentoring after the six-month intensive in-service teacher training program(IIETTP). The teacher was involved in mentoring two novice teachers working at the same school. They observed each other's classes and exchanged their views on the classes, focusing on areas to be improved. The observation was done within a framework that consisted of pre-, during- and post-observation sessions. Data was gathered through retrospective entries kept after the post-observation meetings. The entries were categorized according to their saliency, frequency and recurring patterns identified. The findings reveal that learning from the training course could be applied professionally and could serve to bridge the gap between training and teaching. It is also shown that the mentee teachers' professional development was enhanced and the mentor teacher herself benefited from the collaborative learning process involved with working with the novice teachers. Some suggestions are made for the effective implementation of school-based teacher development programs after the IIETTP.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.165-190
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• 2011

This research investigates listening strategies and the relationship between the employment of strategy and listening proficiency of Korean EFL middle school students. One hundred and four middle school students (N = 104) participated in this study and their strategy use was assessed through a questionnaire adapted from Oxford's (1990) SILL and O'Malley and Chamot (1990). To measure listening proficiency, the English Listening Ability Test designed by 15 city and provincial offices of education in Korea was used. The results show that students employed a moderate use of strategies; compensation strategies were used most frequently and metacognitive strategies were used the least frequently. Significant differences were found in the use of implicit strategy among different listening proficiency groups, but not in their use of behavioral strategy. Furthermore, there were significant differences in the use of implicit memory, cognitive and compensation strategies among groups of students with different listening proficiencies, but not in their use of metacognitive strategy. The results from multiple regression analysis indicate that implicit strategy use could play an important role in listening comprehension. The findings suggest the need for additional research to explore the effect of listening strategy training for English language learners.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.199-222
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• 2009

As great attention is given to a high quality of English education in Korea, more and more in-service and pre-service English teachers are looking for an opportunity to study in an English speaking country to become better qualified teachers. However, after receiving a degree in an English speaking country, many teachers fail to apply what they have learned to their own teaching due to their tensions of identity, beliefs, knowledge, and professionalism within the changes of sociocultural settings. By using sociocultural theory as a theoretical framework, this paper explores how formal training and Ph.D. studies in the U.S. have influenced a Korean teacher educator in applying theory to practice in relation to her identity, beliefs, knowledge, and professionalism during 30 years of her teaching experience. Rather than facing tensions, the teacher educator has been willing to change her roles, broaden and deepen her beliefs in teaching and knowledge about theory of teaching and learning, and continue her professional development. Limitations and implications of the study are provided.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.255-262
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• 2013

Useful applications for English education enable immediate conversion of mobile devices into remote wireless systems for classroom computers. Once the free software has been installed in the main computers in the classroom, using powerpoint, students can operate the computers through their mobile devices by installing Air mouse on them. By using this, the students can draw or write on the "board" to manipulate the educational resources from where they are/from their seats. The study of English language encompasses not only academic study but also language training. Until recently, the issue of the English language learning has been ridden with certain problems-instead of being a tool that facilitates communication, its main purpose has been for school grades, TOEIC, and TOEFL. This study suggests English language learning methodology using various applications such as mobile, VOD English language content, and movie scripts in implementing easy and fun English language learning activities that can be studied regularly. This is operationalized by setting a specific limit on learning and by using various media such as podcast, Apps, to increase interest, motivation, and self-directed learning in a passive learning environment.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.245-259
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate English teachers' perceptions about doing their own action research to find out the benefits of involvement in action research. I believe that teachers should engage in curriculum research and development because it relates to their own classrooms and because a primary aim for teacher education program is to give teachers ways of exploring their own classrooms. I focused on 17 graduate students who had undertaken action research during the fall semester of 2007 and administered a questionnaire about their perceptions of doing action research. The results revealed that their perceptions of doing action research fell into the following two categories, positive and negative aspects. For positive aspects, they experienced a sense of personal and professional growth and they underwent identity transformation from passive, etic-oriented, and uncritical to active, emic-oriented, and critical teachers. However, many of them expressed that major obstacles to doing action research were time constraints and lack of skills or training in conducting action research. Thus, it is suggested that both pre- and in-service teachers should consider conducting a language teaching diary study, doing collaborative action research, and acquiring all the necessary skills for conducting action research.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.21-29
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• 2007

The necessity for improving the English listening ability of Korean learners has been emphasized since the ultimate goal of English education converted to CLT(Communicative Language Teaching) in Korea. Verbotonal Approach as an auditory-based strategy has been proved to be effective substantially in maximizing the listening skill of spoken foreign language. The purpose of this study is to find out an efficient way of improving listening ability for Korean middle school students by employing OFH(Optimal Frequency of Hearing) using Tonality Word Sentence Test, before & after using Listen II Verbotonal training unit based on VTS(Verbotonal System). The results of the listening tests showed that the listening ability of the subjects increased by 16.7% on the words and by 5.5% on the sentences after using Listen II, compared with before using Listen II and that the improvement rate of listening ability on the level of words is much higher than that on the level of sentences. From the results, we can come to a conclusion that training the listening skill with words in mid-tonality and low-tonality based on OFH might give a great positive effect in improving listening ability for Korean learners of English.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.191-203
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• 2015

In foreign language, vocabulary is the most essential and fundamental elements. Traditional language learning methods that are to understand and to memorize the English contents can only be obvious limitations. In this paper, we proposed the speaking-centered learning methods based on cognitive strategies and speech recognition considering the learner characteristics. We have designed and implemented the cognitive strategy-based speaking training system for acquisition elementary English vocabulary. We were divided into control group and the experimental group and applied to the system to analyze the learning effect. The result of Analysis, the proposed system is increased motivation and achievement of learners. In addition, the proposed system is improved an academic learning participation, Project accomplish, self-interesting and leadership skills. Through this study, we expect that students improve the ability of practical skills in speaking English.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.151-168
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• 2009

The present study investigates the impact of trained peer feedback on the quantity and quality of revisions made by EFL students at a low-intermediate level. Peer review training was carried out in experimental group through four in-class training sessions and four peer dyad-instructor conferences after class. Students' $1^{st}$ drafts with written peer feedback and revised drafts prior to and post training were collected and analyzed. Results reveal that after training the students produced more revisions in response to their peer comments (96% of total revisions) and those revisions were counted as enhanced in quality (93% of peer-triggered revisions). In contrast, the results of paired t-test within control group indicate that there was no significant difference between two data collected from week 3 and week 16 (t = -.57, df =19, p = .577 at p < .05). The findings suggest that training as an ongoing process of teacher intervention contributes to effectiveness of the peer feedback activity. The study provides pedagogical implications for how to structure and implement peer review training for the sake of its direct strength in an EFL writing class.