ITL - International Journal of Applied Linguistics - Online First

This study investigated the relationship between the English vocabulary size of first language Cantonese speakers in Macau (N = 77) and engagement in extramural English activities. The 140-item Vocabulary Size Test was used to collect data on participants’ vocabulary size and a 13-item questionnaire tapped into background learning experiences as well as participation in 16 extramural activities. Small correlations between vocabulary size and book reading, subtitled television viewing, non-subtitled online video viewing, level of education, study abroad experience, and travel abroad experience were found. A medium correlation between vocabulary size and language of instruction in secondary school was also found. A four variable sequential regression accounted for 26% of the variance in participants’ vocabulary sizes, with book reading adding the most explanatory power after language of instruction in secondary school had been eliminated. The impact of extramural activities on vocabulary size and pedagogical implications for the Macau and similar contexts were discussed.

The Global Englishes Language Teaching (GELT) paradigm has recently emerged as a comprehensive approach that aims to bring together innovative pedagogical proposals. This paper argues that pop culture materials such as telecinematic representations can purposefully be integrated into innovative GELT-oriented classroom practices. The use of this material can assist teachers in the double task of (i) raising the learners’ critical awareness of sociolinguistic variation and problematizing the stereotypical image of monolithic English; (ii) shifting the focus of the ELT classroom from prescriptive grammar and standard English towards fostering the learners’ receptive and communicative skills. This is a conceptual paper that gives several broad suggestions as to how to adopt pop culture materials into innovative GELT-oriented classroom practice and mentions a select few examples of said telecinematic representations.

Korean pop culture is becoming more and more popular outside of Korea and Asia. This trend draws enormous attention to Korean culture, history, and of course, the language. Surveys show that more and more people are learning the language precisely because of their love for Korean pop culture. Such a tendency could not but affect how Korean is taught. In this article, I will look into how the syllabus, teaching methods, and materials used in the KFL classrooms have changed under the influence of Korean pop culture. Moreover, in order to identify if the use of materials related to pop culture can benefit students’ motivation and performance, I conducted an experiment with two groups of students, all starting their beginner-level course (three months). The results of the study showed how the use of such materials in the classroom can affect students’ motivation and attitude toward learning.

Through the lens of Dörnyei’s (2005) Second Language Motivational Self System, this exploratory study focused on two groups of Canadian newcomers learning English in the traditional classroom setting (English as a Second Language [ESL]; n = 37) and the workplace (Workplace Language Training [WLT]; n = 29) to determine the role of motivation in their integration into Canadian society and development of the ‘Canadian self’. The results, collected by way of a questionnaire and follow-up interviews, show newcomers holding positive attitudes towards English learning and building their Canadian identity in the process. Notably, beliefs concerning the value of employment to fulfill personal obligations and duties promoted the WLT learners’ motivation and willingness to engage with language learning significantly more than those of their ESL counterparts. Pedagogical implications are discussed.