Language, reading, and reading-related tasks were administered to 148 children from lower primary （Standard 1, 2, and 3） in Kenyan schools. The aim was to investigate the literacy developmental trends across the yea...Language, reading, and reading-related tasks were administered to 148 children from lower primary （Standard 1, 2, and 3） in Kenyan schools. The aim was to investigate the literacy developmental trends across the years and establish which of the two variables, word identification skills or target language oral proficiency influenced reading comprehension performance. The results indicated that word identification skills independently influenced reading comprehension performance in both standard 2 and standard 3 classes, but target language oral skills did not. Further, the analysis of invented spelling task performance revealed evidence of transfer of alphabetic coding skills of first language to English orthography. The spelling errors reflected letter-sound patterns not found in English orthography. Analysis of the miscues in the spelling task revealed that children rely on first language phonological processes to spell target language unfamiliar words as long the languages have a common alphabetic system.展开更多
To evaluate the quality and accuracy of websites written to the public on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) and assess their readability level.METHODSGoogle™, Bing™, and Yahoo™...To evaluate the quality and accuracy of websites written to the public on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) and assess their readability level.METHODSGoogle™, Bing™, and Yahoo™ search engines were searched independently by three researchers in December 2014. Only English-language websites were selected on the basis of predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Researchers independently evaluated the quality of each website by using the DISCERN and the HONcode instruments. The readability levels were calculated using two formulas; the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level Index, and the Coleman-Liau Readability Index. The agreement between the evaluators was calculated using Cohen kappa coefficient.RESULTSEighty-four websites were finally identified. Scores varied from a minimum DISCERN score of 18 to a maximum of 68 [mean ± SD, 42.2 ± 10.7; median = 41.5, interquartile range, interquartile range (IQR) = 15.8] and a minimum score of HONcode of 0.14 and a maximum of 0.95 (mean ± SD, 0.16 ± 0.19; median = 0.45, IQR = 0.29). Most of these websites were reviewed in 2014 and 2015 (n = 51). The creators of these websites were: universities and research centers (n = 25, 30%), foundations and associations (n = 15, 18%), commercial and pharmaceutical companies (n = 25, 30%), charities and volunteer work (n = 9, 10%), and non-university educational bodies (n = 10, 12%). The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level readability score (mean ± SD) was 11.9 ± 2.4 and the Coleman-Liau Readability Index score was 12.6 ± 1.5. Significant correlation was found between the two readability scores (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.509, P = 0.001). The overall agreement between evaluators measured by Cohen kappa coefficient was in the range of 0.804-0.876; rated as 'Good'.CONCLUSIONThe DISCERN and the HONcode scores of websites varied and the readability levels of most websites were above the public readability level. The study highlights the areas that need further improvement and development in patient education online materials about IBD.展开更多
Metacognition is defined as the knowledge and ability to monitor and control cognitive conditions in the learning process.Listening is the most important skill of the four language skills in both learning and teaching...Metacognition is defined as the knowledge and ability to monitor and control cognitive conditions in the learning process.Listening is the most important skill of the four language skills in both learning and teaching,and plays an important role in our daily life.Although nowadays there is a deeper perception of listening,it needs more attention and research.Accordingly,the present study investigates the relationship between the Metacognitive awareness and listening performance of female Dentistry students in English for General Purposes(EGP)course in Urmia University of Medical Sciences(UMSU).To do so,50 Iranian female dentistry students were participated in this study.They completed Metacognitive Awareness Listing Questionnaire(MALQ)and listening section of the final exam.First,the listening section of final exam was applied to the participants at classrooms by the teacher.Immediately after the administration of the examination,the MALQ were conducted.The analysis exposed a weak positive relationship between learners’Metacognitive awareness scores and listening performance.Although correlation was not high,still there is more correlation in problem solving,directed attention and planning evaluation than others.展开更多
Formative assessment is a new concept introduced to the English teachers in China by the National English Curriculum (NEC). Its main feature is to provide quick feedback to promote learning and improve teaching, compa...Formative assessment is a new concept introduced to the English teachers in China by the National English Curriculum (NEC). Its main feature is to provide quick feedback to promote learning and improve teaching, compared with summative assessment. Mostly, formative assessment is implemented during teaching practice. It should be a part of teaching and learning process. So far as it is concerned, teachers play a very important role. They should be able to decide or select what to be assessed and how to assess in classroom teaching. Thus, the focus of this article is to show them the practical ways to reach the goal, i.e. how to implement formative assessment more effectively.展开更多
文摘Language, reading, and reading-related tasks were administered to 148 children from lower primary （Standard 1, 2, and 3） in Kenyan schools. The aim was to investigate the literacy developmental trends across the years and establish which of the two variables, word identification skills or target language oral proficiency influenced reading comprehension performance. The results indicated that word identification skills independently influenced reading comprehension performance in both standard 2 and standard 3 classes, but target language oral skills did not. Further, the analysis of invented spelling task performance revealed evidence of transfer of alphabetic coding skills of first language to English orthography. The spelling errors reflected letter-sound patterns not found in English orthography. Analysis of the miscues in the spelling task revealed that children rely on first language phonological processes to spell target language unfamiliar words as long the languages have a common alphabetic system.
基金Supportedby the College of Medicine Research Center,Deanship of Scientific Research,King Saud University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia
文摘To evaluate the quality and accuracy of websites written to the public on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) and assess their readability level.METHODSGoogle™, Bing™, and Yahoo™ search engines were searched independently by three researchers in December 2014. Only English-language websites were selected on the basis of predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Researchers independently evaluated the quality of each website by using the DISCERN and the HONcode instruments. The readability levels were calculated using two formulas; the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level Index, and the Coleman-Liau Readability Index. The agreement between the evaluators was calculated using Cohen kappa coefficient.RESULTSEighty-four websites were finally identified. Scores varied from a minimum DISCERN score of 18 to a maximum of 68 [mean ± SD, 42.2 ± 10.7; median = 41.5, interquartile range, interquartile range (IQR) = 15.8] and a minimum score of HONcode of 0.14 and a maximum of 0.95 (mean ± SD, 0.16 ± 0.19; median = 0.45, IQR = 0.29). Most of these websites were reviewed in 2014 and 2015 (n = 51). The creators of these websites were: universities and research centers (n = 25, 30%), foundations and associations (n = 15, 18%), commercial and pharmaceutical companies (n = 25, 30%), charities and volunteer work (n = 9, 10%), and non-university educational bodies (n = 10, 12%). The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level readability score (mean ± SD) was 11.9 ± 2.4 and the Coleman-Liau Readability Index score was 12.6 ± 1.5. Significant correlation was found between the two readability scores (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.509, P = 0.001). The overall agreement between evaluators measured by Cohen kappa coefficient was in the range of 0.804-0.876; rated as 'Good'.CONCLUSIONThe DISCERN and the HONcode scores of websites varied and the readability levels of most websites were above the public readability level. The study highlights the areas that need further improvement and development in patient education online materials about IBD.
文摘Metacognition is defined as the knowledge and ability to monitor and control cognitive conditions in the learning process.Listening is the most important skill of the four language skills in both learning and teaching,and plays an important role in our daily life.Although nowadays there is a deeper perception of listening,it needs more attention and research.Accordingly,the present study investigates the relationship between the Metacognitive awareness and listening performance of female Dentistry students in English for General Purposes(EGP)course in Urmia University of Medical Sciences(UMSU).To do so,50 Iranian female dentistry students were participated in this study.They completed Metacognitive Awareness Listing Questionnaire(MALQ)and listening section of the final exam.First,the listening section of final exam was applied to the participants at classrooms by the teacher.Immediately after the administration of the examination,the MALQ were conducted.The analysis exposed a weak positive relationship between learners’Metacognitive awareness scores and listening performance.Although correlation was not high,still there is more correlation in problem solving,directed attention and planning evaluation than others.
文摘Formative assessment is a new concept introduced to the English teachers in China by the National English Curriculum (NEC). Its main feature is to provide quick feedback to promote learning and improve teaching, compared with summative assessment. Mostly, formative assessment is implemented during teaching practice. It should be a part of teaching and learning process. So far as it is concerned, teachers play a very important role. They should be able to decide or select what to be assessed and how to assess in classroom teaching. Thus, the focus of this article is to show them the practical ways to reach the goal, i.e. how to implement formative assessment more effectively.
