International Journal of Language and Literary Studies

Shaping the ‘Other’: Foucauldian Insights Into Feminine Resistance in ‘Timbuktu’

2024-08-09T17:49:51+00:00

This exploration delves into the complex portrayal of feminine resistance in Abderrahmane Sissako's 2014 film "Timbuktu," framed within a Foucauldian perspective. Set against the backdrop of the jihadist occupation of Timbuktu, Mali, the film immerses viewers in a world where traditional village life collides with extremist ideologies, resulting in a complex interplay of power and resistance. The narrative unfolds with subtle undercurrents of oppression, as the occupying jihadists enforce their rigid interpretation of Sharia law on the local populace. Focusing on the character of Satima, the wife of the protagonist Kidane and Zabou, the shamanes, this analysis delves into different feminine resistance to conformity, driven either by honour or justice to challenge the oppressive norms imposed by the jihadists.

Drawing inspiration from Michel Foucault's discourse on power and resistance, this exploration reveals a rather multidirectional/multidimensional nature of feminine resistance. Satima's refusal to comply with the sexual advances of Abdelkerim and Zabou’s enchantments and audacity vis-à-vis the jihadists provide insights into the transformative potential of marginalized voices. The film ultimately confronts the idea that some situations remain beyond an individual's control, echoing an Old Testament-like sense of fate. Through an extraordinary long-take shot that captures the aftermath, the film underscores the limitations of power, even for those who seek to shape the "Other." This article thus invites a deeper examination of "Timbuktu," and feminine empowerment and agency in African cinema, shedding light on how resistance surpasses the confines of oppression, offering a gripping narrative of resilience in the face of extremism.

A DMT-Based Study on Interpreting Conceptual Metaphors from Quotations of Climate Action Discourses of Top Leaders around the UN

2024-06-21T18:04:23+00:00

The article reports the study interpreting conceptual metaphors relating to climate crisis from the deliberate metaphors in 84 quotations of climate action discourses of top leaders around the United Nations delivered in 2023. Applying Steen’s (2008; 2023a) Deliberate Metaphor Theory and Reijnierse et al.’s (2018) Deliberate Metaphor Identification Procedure, the study interprets 19 conceptual metaphors, in which, on the schematicity levels, six conceptual metaphors are perceived on image schemata, four on domains, and nine on frames. Among those 19 conceptual metaphors (nine quotations concurrently are perceived on two levels), the five conceptual metaphors that use metaphorical expression most frequently are CLIMATE ACTION IS A JOURNEY, CLIMATE CRISIS IS DOOMSDAY, CLIMATE CRISIS IS A DESTROYER, CLIMATE CRISIS IS A WAR and CLIMATE ACTION IS CONSTRUCTION. Those 19 conceptual metaphors share the main conceptual keys stating that the climate crisis is threatening our lives to look like a war, easy to bring human being to doomsday, requiring climate action, as performing a journey, to be proceeded continuously to scramble the power of controlling the planet and convey the ideology of the UN in the movement of protecting the environment.

Linguistic and Terminological Complexities in Post-Editing English-Arabic Machine Translations

2024-06-23T23:20:32+00:00

The purpose of this research is to establish the challenges that professional translators face when translating using CAT and MT, particularly for the English-Arabic language pair. The research design used in the study is a comparative descriptive research design to compare different translations of source texts from English to Arabic using the SDL Trados CAT tool. The first research question is to define the most frequent types of errors in the translated texts produced by the participants of the study. The study seeks to establish some of the difficulties that translators encounter in relation to language and culture such as grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation, style, formatting, accuracy, terminology and semantics. The research aimed to further raise awareness of these issues and how to address them in post-editing, which has been integrated into translators’ education and training to enhance productivity and the quality of the end product. The study also seeks to offer suggestions to the researchers and developers of technology in the improvement of the MT systems especially for the Arabic to English translation. The results of the analysis show that the most severe problem was observed in the syntactic and grammatical aspects of the text when translating from English to Arabic. The findings can be of benefit to developers to enhance the translation tools for efficiency, especially for Arabic to English translation.

Womanhood in Africa: An Investigative Appraisal into the Treatment of Women in Two Selected Nigerian Novels

2024-06-26T22:06:58+00:00

This paper contributes to a lively discussion in the field of African literature, delving into various misconceptions about women. In a typical African society, there is a perception that women have fewer opportunities compared to their male counterparts who enjoy unrestricted benefits. This research reveals a startling revelation: the roots of these segregations extend far beyond their surface representation. Qualitative findings reveal that women are marginalized at all points of their existence—from the structure of their body, marriage, and childbearing to their total existence as women. Despite feminist scholars analyzing gender from a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives, they have paid little attention to female issues specific to their roles in the home. To fill this gap, this research examines the ways in which female rights, freedoms, and free will are being assessed in the contemporary African societies Adichie and Shoneyin present in their works, Purple Hibiscus and Secret Life of Baba Segi’s Wives, respectively.

Strategies of English Expressions of Gratitude Used by Yemeni Male Speakers in Male-Male and Male-Female Interactions

2024-07-03T22:57:04+00:00

This study aims to identify the types of English expressions of gratitude that are employed by Yemeni Male Speakers in Male-Male and Male-Female interactions. The participants of the study consisted of 230 students (115 males and 115 females) from Sana’a University. The data of the study were collected by using a Discourse Completion Test (DCT) questionnaire. The results of the study showed that the participants employed different types of English expressions of gratitude in different gratitude situations, but "bald thanking or using the word "thank" was the most frequently used strategy by Yemeni male speakers in male-male and male-female interactions. The results also indicated that there were similarities and few differences in terms of the frequencies, percentages and the type of strategies used by the participants in all situations.

Challenges in Translating Moroccan Oral Tradition: The Case of Folktales from the Region of Abdelghaya Souahel

2024-07-04T00:03:45+00:00

This study examines some challenges encountered in translating Moroccan folktales from the region of Abdelghaya Souahel into English, focusing on linguistic and cultural problems. In this regard, Moroccan oral tradition, including folktales, plays a pivotal role in preserving cultural identity and transmitting community values. However, translating these narratives involves addressing dialect variation, cultural symbolism, structural differences, and some performative aspects that form an integral part of oral storytelling. Through a cultural and linguistic analysis of ten folktales collected from the region, this study identifies some specific translation challenges and proposes strategies to preserve the authenticity of the stories while making them accessible to a broader audience. By addressing these challenges, this study contributes to a broader discourse on the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage through translation.

Breaking Down Barriers to Second Language Learning: Understanding Factors and Strategies for High School Students in Guyana

2024-06-26T21:59:43+00:00

This study aims to illustrate the challenges that prevent most high school students in Guyana from showing any interest and participating in learning a second language. The study showed a number of socio-cultural, economic and institutional constraints which are generally exposed by combining 60 SLA questionnaires with interviews administered to SS3 students who did not continue with the learning of a second language after undergoing their third cycle at grade nine. The results expose nuanced student perspectives and structural impediments, offering practical recommendations to inform the strategies of policymakers, educators’ et al at school- (micro) as well as the system-level (macro). The reforms are intended to reduce current barriers and consequently create a more favourable environment for second language learning among Guyanese high school students.

Existential and Nostalgic Perspectives of William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury

2024-06-03T09:47:56+00:00

William Faulkner, a renowned Southern author, is known for his portrayal of the decline of the privileged social class and the Southern United States after the Civil War. His narratives often depict decaying homes and the lives of distinguished individuals who maintain antiquated Southern beliefs. The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner is a profound and intricate novel that explores the intricacies of human existence. The novel follows the Compson family, who reside in Jefferson, Mississippi, and Cambridge, Massachusetts, through pivotal events such as Caddy’s ascent, Benjy’s alteration of name, Caddy’s gestation and nuptials, Quentin’s demise, Benjy’s emasculation, and Mr. Compson’s deterioration due to immoderate alcohol consumption. Faulkner employs innovative storytelling techniques such as stream of consciousness and a nonlinear plot structure, adding complexity to the work while also offering deep satisfaction to readers. The novel is notable for the profound complexity of its characters, each possessing intricate and diverse qualities that enhance the depth and complexity of the storyline.

Beyond Swear Words: A Rhetorical Probing of Expletives Used in Filipino Movies

2024-06-27T22:30:24+00:00

^{This study investigates the employment of swear words in the selected films of the renowned Filipino director, Jerrold Tarog entitled, Heneral Luna and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral respectively. Significantly, this addresses knowledge gap through which aims to raise awareness on topic people have little and fixated knowledge in terms of swearing and the underlying factors alongside it. To achieve an in-depth analysis of swear words in communication, the researchers make use of the Content Analysis anchored on the theory of Sociolinguistics by Jane Holmes (2001) and is fortified by the Utterance Emotion Dynamics Framework introduced by Hipson and Mohammad and Paralinguistic by Trager. Upon scrutinization, the findings reveal that in totality, there are eleven (11) emotions revolving around the aforementioned films. These emotions consist of (1) Anger, (2) Disbelief, (3) Disgust, (4) Frustration, (5) Surprise, (6) Fear, (7) Irritation, (8) Confusion, (9) Sarcasm, (10) Excitement, and (11) Arrogance. Among the identified emotions, data provide that people ultimately swear due to exasperation, basically known as anger. This paper concludes by putting on an emphasis on the importance of understanding the complex nature of swear words by delving deeper into its multifaceted nature.}

The Discursive Formation of Ethnic Subjectivities and Identities in Popular Romance

2024-06-27T22:37:11+00:00

Within the framework of postcolonial studies, this paper undertakes to examine the politics of ethnic subjectivities and identities in Rebecca Stratton’s popular romance The Silken Cage. It lays bare how ‘blackness’, as an identity marker of ethnic difference, carries social and political meanings in British popular romance. This paper challenges the commonly held view of ‘skin colour’ as a mere biological feature without deeming factors and forces that have informed its conception and hence have constructed it in a number of ways. The suggested romance is worthy of study by virtue of its concern with the notion of ‘blackness’ in the colonial context. A postcolonial analysis of The Silken Cage revealed that ‘black’ subjectivity and identity are constructs that have been shaped and reshaped by historical, social, linguistic, discursive, ideological, and political dynamics. The paper also showed that Stratton’s popular narrative is an order of discourse wherein ‘blackness’ is more than a matter of pigmentation; it is a mark/mask, a uniform, a signifier, a fetish with a whole range of significance and implications. Colonialism, racial segregation, and captivity are some racist practices exploited by the writer to inscribe ethnic subjectivities and identities in the cross-cultural encounter. ‘Blackness’, in this sense, is a political, social, and ideological construct.

A Sociolinguistic Study of English Language Barriers and Communication

2024-07-03T20:36:22+00:00

In the field of medicine, successful student-teacher communication that happens by receiving and exchanging information depends, to a large extent, on mutual intelligibility among participants. However, failure to reach a satisfactory degree of understanding can result in confusion, misunderstanding and bitter disappointment for both parties involved in the medical class setting. One of the goals of the current study is to analyze how the English language is used by Iraqi students in the field of medical and healthcare settings where different language barriers are expected to hinder communication and learning situations. These linguistic barriers encountered by both students and instructors often result in acute communication gaps among students of science in general and students of medical departments in particular. This paper sheds light on identifying the gaps created by the lack of successful communication between instructors and their relevant students. It also tries to find ways and solutions to overcome these problems. The current inquiry studies and analyzes how language barriers pose a serious problem related to students’ cognition in language communications from socio-cognitive and linguistic points of view within students of Nursing at Al-Maarif University College. There are some linguistic and cognitive variations among students that hinder English language proficiency and communication between students and their instructors. The study adopts different tools for conducting this paper such as collecting actual writing samples by students, observations from oral interviews and a questionnaire based mainly on medical jargon. In addition, other factors that affect student-teacher communication in terms of social, cultural, male-female differences, age and educational differences will be considered. The above-mentioned problems lead to the hypothesis that they all have some negative impacts on the communication between students and instructors that create confusion and misunderstanding of lectures delivered to students mainly in English. As a result of the lack of informative communication, teachers resort to the strategy of code-switching to Arabic to achieve a full understanding of spoken or written medical discourse.

Trump's Potential Reelection and the Fate of Immigrants

2024-06-27T22:25:59+00:00

This paper examines the impact of Trump's presidential reelection on immigrants in the upcoming elections. A thorough exploration of Trump's travel bans, border wall construction, family separation, termination of DACA, and slogans such as MAGA provides context on what people should expect in his second term and the perceptions held by the majority of his supporters, who are predominantly working-class White voters disappointed by outcomes of previous governments. This study outlines these issues based on an assessment of various publications addressing the topic within the past five years and considering the impact of Trump’s nationalist and populist policies towards undocumented persons and comparing them to those of Biden and Obama, legal lawsuits against Trump, and the role of advocates in resolving the problems with immigration. These articles reveal that Trump has taken a discriminatory approach to the issue of immigration. At the same time, his counterparts are more lenient on foreigners because they understand the benefits the United States would receive from this engagement, such as access to labor while stabilizing the economy through additional revenue. Trump's attitude presents ideologies that would jeopardize the country's social and economic state if he is reelected in the upcoming elections.

Investigating Effects of the Flipped Classroom on the Development of Inferential reading comprehension

2024-06-26T22:21:35+00:00

The present study aims to investigate effects of the flipped classroom on the development of inferential comprehension at Ibn Tofail University. It also explores students’ perceptions of this innovative model. It is worth noting that research on the correlation between the flipped model and inferential comprehension at the university level remains exceedingly limited, not only in the context of Morocco but also in similar research environments. The study employs a quasi-experimental mixed method design, specifically an explanatory sequential approach. In the initial phase, pre- and post-reading comprehension tests are performed to compare the flipped and non-flipped classrooms for any significant differences. In the second phase, a semi-structured interview is carried out to examine students' perceptions of the flipped model. The study comprised 81 undergraduate semester one students from the English department, divided into experimental and control groups. The post-test results have showcased statistically significant advantages in favour of the experimental group. The qualitative results have revealed that the interviewees expressed positive opinions about this innovative teaching model. In conclusion, this study suggests that the flipped model may create a conducive environment for students to actively participate in discussions, engage in critical thinking, and solve problems.

Politeness in Computer-Mediated Pragmatics of Complaint Tweets by Clients of Ghanaian-based Telecom Networks

2024-07-15T17:00:28+00:00

This study investigates tweets of clients of three telecommunication networks in Ghana, to determine the various politeness strategies they employ while lodging complaints. 403 complaint tweets were purposively sampled and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using Brown and Levinson’s (1978, 1987) politeness framework and Anchimbe and Janney’s (2011) Postcolonial Pragmatics models. Results indicate that most complaints have some linguistic indicators that correspond to at least one of Brown and Levinson’s politeness strategies. Patterns emerging show that most complainants had suffered various network instabilities which had affected their daily routines; hence, causing them to make interrogative utterances with little or no mitigations. This probably accounted for the frequent use of more bald-on-record and negative politeness strategies than others. However, the competitive frequencies between positive and negative politeness strategies seem to align more with the cultural orientation of participants than a mere attempt to consider the face needs of network providers as argued by Brown and Levinson (1987).

Exploring Otherness in Toni Morrison’s “Beloved”: A Postcolonial Ecocritical Perspective

2024-07-17T17:54:56+00:00

This article delves into the concept of otherness in Toni Morrison’s novel “Beloved” through a postcolonial ecocritical lens. By examining the interactions between characters and their environment, the article aims to explore how notions of identity, power, and belonging are shaped by historical and environmental contexts. Key themes such as slavery, trauma, memory, and the impact of the past on the present are analyzed through the perspectives of postcolonial theory and ecocriticism. Through this analysis, the article seeks to uncover the complexities of otherness in the novel and its implications for understanding the relationships between humans, nature, and society. Employing close reading technique, this article tries to answer the following questions:1- How does the postcolonial ecocritical approach enhance our understanding of the concept of otherness in “Beloved”? 2- In what ways do historical and environmental factors influence the construction of otherness in the novel? 3- How do characters in “Beloved” navigate issues of identity, power, and belonging in relation to the concept of otherness?

Teaching Literature in the Digital Age: Some Theoretical Reflections

2024-06-23T23:23:15+00:00

This paper attempts to address the challenges facing the teaching of literature in the digital age. I argue that the rise, normalization and ubiquity of new technology entail the rapid integration of technology in the teaching of literature to dovetail with the increasing expectations and aspirations of the new generation who have grown up with technology and have abundantly assimilated digital cultures. For them technology is much more than digital tools and devices that can be interpreted as semiotic signifiers of the digital age; it also epitomizes the new generation’s identities, mindsets, attitudes and cultural practices. Teachers are called upon to address the demands of the new generation and seriously reflect on propounding plausible and innovative pedagogical actions and strategies that would transform traditional methods which, I believe, seem cacophonous with the new generation of learners. Few would contest the fact that the traditional classroom with its classical methods of teaching is no longer compatible with the changing needs of the current generation of students who expect to be addressed as digitally cultivated learners for whom technology is a normative practice. It is incumbent on teachers to assimilate the fact that today’s students are globally advanced learners who are aware of the crucial role of technology in the learning process and would fail to cope with the traditional classroom and its limited resources. Another daunting challenge facing the teaching of literature lies in motivating the digital age students to read, analyse and interpret literary texts through the integration of technology and encouraging them to enjoy literature and sustain their interest. The new learners are more enticed by graphics and visual content than texts. I argue that converting literary texts to visual productions and platforms would help digitally literate students regain interest in the literary texts and be engaged in the analytical process.

Development of an Informal Reading Inventory for Senior High School: A Preliminary Study

2024-06-13T11:56:25+00:00

This preliminary study addresses the urgent need for an Informal Reading Inventory (IRI) specifically designed for Senior High School (SHS) students in the Philippines. National assessments have highlighted significant deficiencies in reading proficiency, prompting the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement comprehensive reading initiatives. However, the absence of a specialized assessment tool for SHS students presents a critical gap. This study proposes a Test Design Statement for developing an IRI that aligns with Grades 11 and 12 curriculum competencies, international standards (CEFR B2 and C1 levels), and the linguistic profile of Filipino students. The proposed IRI aims to assess essential reading skills, facilitating targeted interventions and supporting the overall goal of producing proficient, independent readers. The study outlines a comprehensive evaluation plan focusing on reliability, validity, authenticity, interactiveness, and practicality, emphasizing the necessity for institutional support and collaboration.

Self-Learning Strategies for EFL Acquisition among Saudi University Students

2024-07-24T20:56:05+00:00

This study investigates self-learning strategies for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) acquisition among Saudi university students. Despite the importance of English proficiency, many Saudi students struggle to achieve the desired level of competence. This research aims to identify effective self-learning strategies that can empower students to enhance their EFL skills independently. Using focus groups and a questionnaire, the study explores the most common and inspiring self-learning strategies adopted by Saudi university students, as well as the reasons behind their preferences. The findings reveal that watching American movies and TV shows, taking online courses, and engaging with English-language media are among the most popular strategies. Traveling to English-speaking countries, watching American TV shows, and reading English stories are considered the most inspiring approaches. The study provides valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and curriculum developers to design more effective English language programs tailored to the needs and preferences of Saudi university students. By understanding and promoting these self-learning strategies, this research aims to contribute to improving EFL proficiency and empowering Saudi students to succeed in an increasingly globalized world.

Harnessing Korean English Leaners’ Funds of Knowledge through Culturally Responsive Readings

2024-05-20T21:55:24+00:00

The intersection of language learning and the construction of authentic meaning by bilinguals through culturally responsive reading activities remains relatively underexplored in academic discourse. Moreover, prevailing instructional methodologies often fail to fully leverage the linguistic and cultural assets that English Learners (ELs) bring to their educational experiences. This study adopts a case study approach to investigate the responses of two Korean ELs as they interact with culturally responsive texts, drawing upon their rich funds of knowledge and employing a specific reading strategy within their learning process. Given the dearth of research on the impact of culturally responsive texts on ELs’ literacy learning, particularly within the context of Korean ELs, this study offers a nuanced examination of the reading experience and language learning of two individuals from this demographic. Data collection includes direct classroom observations and video recordings from the Korean Heritage Language (HL) school. The findings underscore the proficiency of ELs in leveraging their funds of knowledge during retelling activities, enabling Korean ELs to personalize and internalize the text. By showcasing the effectiveness of these practices in shaping meaningful reading experiences, this study offers valuable insights into instructional practices in literacy and language education for ELs.

Mindsets and EFL Learner Autonomy in the Digital Era : Secondary School Learners as a Case Study

2024-08-07T19:36:18+00:00

EFL learners in Morocco have numerous online resources and tools at their disposal to aid in language learning. Despite this abundance, many learners face challenges in developing learner autonomy and effectively utilizing these digital tools. Mindsets are often attributed to these difficulties and can have a significant impact on success or failure in language learning. The mode of learning to which students are exposed also plays a role. This paper aims to enhance understanding of the relationship between mindset, mode of learning, and learner autonomy in Moroccan EFL education. A self-administered questionnaire was given to two groups of 88 Moroccan Second-year baccalaureate students to investigate whether mindsets or mode of learning affects autonomy in the technological era. The findings demonstrated that the majority of students had mobile phones, but their usage varies. Project-based learners demonstrated a high level of autonomy, with 93% using mobile phones for research and learning instead of social media. Conversely, 20% of teacher-centered learners believed a teacher’s presence is necessary, while all project-based learners considered the teacher’s role important but not always required. The study highlighted the importance of mindset and mode of learning in developing learner autonomy and the potential benefits of project-based learning for language learners.

Exploring Sexual and Reproductive Health Education in Morocco: An Overview of the Literature

2024-06-23T18:47:00+00:00

This article attempts to provide a comprehensive exploration of Sexual and Reproductive Health Education in the Moroccan context, emphasizing the unique perspectives and challenges faced within the country. Through a critical analysis of available literature, the article aims to explore the current status of sexual and reproductive health education in Moroccan schools. Drawing on insights from researchers and educators, this study delves into the cultural and social factors that shape the implementation and effectiveness of such educational programs. The study aimed to collect data by reviewing relevant literature. In doing so, the article reviews previous works published to unveil the current status of Sexual and Reproductive Health Education in the Moroccan context from both electronic and non-electronic sources. The search used equivalent keywords and terms, covering both old articles and newly published ones. In the light of the comprehensive literature review conducted, results show that in Morocco, there is growing recognition of the importance of sexual and reproductive health education. This study also highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions and policy reforms to strengthen Sexual and Reproductive Health Education in Morocco.

Exploring the Effects of Teachers’ Use of Nonviolent Communication on Learners’ Classroom Participation in the EFL Classroom

2024-07-24T21:27:16+00:00

With communication being the backbone of language classes, the interactions learners have with each other and with their teachers play a chief role in the teaching-learning process in EFL classes. Accordingly, teachers and researchers are in constant search for various innovative ways in which they can increase the frequency and quality of learners’ classroom participation. Evidently, this is not an easy task, but using nonviolent communication (NVC) – an approach to communication that promotes mindfulness, empathy, mutual understanding and respect – seems to have a lot to offer in this respect. The use of NVC has led to positive effects in an array of domains. However, little is investigated with regard to its effects on classroom participation. Against this background, the aim of this study was to explore the effects of the teachers’ employment of NVC on learners’ classroom participation in EFL classes. An experimental design with systematic observation was implemented for the study, where the participants’ classroom participation was systematically observed and reported using a standardized observation protocol. The results indicated that the use of NVC in communicating with learners positively affects their classroom participation frequency.

Gender Representation in Moroccan Orature: Moroccan Folktales as a Case Study

2024-08-20T01:03:02+00:00

Scholars worldwide are fascinated by oral traditions, and Moroccan folktales are particularly striking within a mosaic of spoken narratives and cultural past. Storytellers bring these stories, rich in traditional wisdom, to life in both public and private spaces. To showcase their storytelling abilities, women are assuming roles that have historically been held by men, such as "storyteller" and "orator." Researchers are now examining the forms in which women are portrayed in these tales, as well as how female narrators engage with and contest these representations within the oral tradition. This paper looks at the stories that women tell and how often they connect female characters to negative stereotypes like evil intent, jealousy, and deceit through an exemplifying analytical approach. While these tales demonstrate women's storytelling abilities, they also reveal women's self-doubt and uncover women’s underestimation of themselves and their intellectual abilities, hence showing the contradictions residing in female-narrated stories. Thus, one should advocate for a revised view of the female voice in storytelling.

Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Foreign Language Teaching: Exploring Views and Beliefs of Greek Foreign Language Teachers

2024-08-17T21:35:23+00:00

The present quantitative research investigates attitudes and perceptions of Greek foreign language teachers regarding the issue of the use, implementation and pedagogical exploitation of AI in foreign language teaching. A total of 150 foreign language teachers in the public sector of primary and secondary education (permanent and contractual teachers) participated in the survey and the methodological tool used was an electronic questionnaire. The survey took place between March and May 2024. The research questions, which are the main axes of the survey, were the following: a) How do teachers define AI? b) Have they used AI tools in foreign language teaching and if so, why and how often? c) what do they consider to be the positive aspects of AI in teaching? d) what do they consider to be its negative aspects and what concerns do they have? e) to what extent do they feel competent in the use and pedagogical exploitation of AI applications? The results show that teachers perceive AI as something new that they are not well informed about and wish to be trained to be able to integrate it into their teaching. Among the positives, the speed of creating digital content is listed and among the negatives is the fear that there will be no need for foreign language teaching in the future and therefore no need for jobs for foreign language teachers. As far as their competence is concerned, the majority feel that support and training are needed in order to provide a valid framework for foreign language teaching.

Impact of Gender and Language Learning In Educational Settings

2024-08-18T23:13:06+00:00

Given the significant impact of gender and language learning in educational settings, it is critical to understand how students' learning styles and gender contribute to their academic achievement and gender interaction in English language classes, especially in the university context. This research paper highlights the impact of gender differences on English language learning at the university level, especially in the Moroccan tertiary education context. The study aims to provide insight into how students' learning styles and gender perceptions affect their English language learning. Data was collected through an online survey and distributed to 60 master's and doctoral students. The findings revealed a significant link between gender differences and English learning, in particular how male and female students prefer to work with classmates of the same or different gender to improve their language skills.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Assessment Methods in Moulay Ismail University: Insights from Postgraduate Students

2024-08-17T20:06:49+00:00

The present study evaluates and measures the effectiveness of the assessment practices promoted in the LMD system (Licence, Master and Doctorate) implemented in Moroccan universities from the perspective of postgraduate students at the open-access institutions affiliated with Moulay Ismail University (UMI), namely the School of Arts and Humanities (FLSH), the School of Sciences (FS), the School of Law, Economics and Social Sciences (FSJES), and the Polydisciplinary School of Errachidia (FP). To achieve this objective, the study deployed a mixed-methods; two-phase case study design. In the initial quantitative phase, a questionnaire was administered to 742 postgraduate students to investigate their evaluation of the assessment practices promoted in the LMD system. Further, in the follow-up qualitative phase, interviews with 28 doctoral students were conducted to extend and explain the quantitative results. It has been found that continuous assessment is not used by most teachers and that the final exams are the only method used by professors to assess students' performance. Likewise, the study revealed that the compensation system negatively affects the quality of higher education training by allowing students to pass and study more difficult modules while they have not learned the necessary prerequisites from the basic modules. Equally significant, the study found that most students struggle with the end-of-study research module, blaming their supervisors who do not provide sufficient or appropriate supervision. In conclusion, this paper offers several pedagogical implications for stakeholders and teachers at the UMI to make assessment more effective.

The Role of Web Technologies in Promoting Learner Autonomy among EFL University Students

2024-08-17T21:20:46+00:00

Technological advancements have brought about several environmental, economic and social challenges for the entire world. Nevertheless, no one can deny that these forces have offered infinite opportunities for progress and development for humanity. The digital revolution has dramatically affected many domains such as work and education. Perhaps one of the main aspects of this revolution in education is online learning which allows students to easily access resources and self-direct their learning. The current paper attempts to examine the role of using Web technologies in fostering learners’ autonomy. It also aims to explore students’ experiences with online learning and how they perceive its relevance to the enhancement of autonomous abilities. To attain these objectives, a mixed-method approach is adopted to collect data utilizing questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The participants are Moroccan university students in the English departments, and data is analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The results show that the participants display high levels of autonomous behaviours as students value their experiences with online learning. The findings also indicate that most students are willing to be more responsible for their own learning when using online platforms that offer, flexibility, interaction, and interesting autonomous practices of language learning.

Countering (His)story: The Politics of Silence and Postcolonial Power in J.M. Coetzee's Foe

2024-07-03T23:55:45+00:00

This study examines Coetzee's Foe (1987) via the lenses of intertextuality, parody, and satire, with a particular emphasis on its subversive reinvention of Defoe's colonial story, resistance to colonial authority, and subtle reevaluation of postcolonial subjecthood. Beyond the typical examination of Foe as an intertextual antidote to Robinson Crusoe(1719), the essay digs into the subtle articulation of power inside the silence of the subaltern. It contends that the traditional categorization of the "subaltern who cannot speak" masks an active subject whose resistance is carefully woven into the textile of unspeakability. In Foe, silence transforms from mere absence to a performing act, and unspeakably develops as a poignant form of expression. Friday's stillness is a reflection of Homi Bhabha's "sly civility," exemplifying a post-colonial approach that allows indigenous people to manage imperial authority through silence and passivity.

On the Supremacy and Privilege of ‘White-Skinned’ Subjects in Imperial Travel Writing

2024-08-18T21:41:22+00:00

This paper offers an understanding of how Morocco, as a former French colony, is racially represented in Tom Gamble’s travel account Amazir: A Novel of Morocco (2010). It shows how the author into question, through racializing Morocco, has taken part in the shaping of colonialist discourse and the construction of ‘Otherness’ as a whole. The selected corpus deserves to be studied because it offers some theoretical perspectives that can be utilized as a guide to scrutinize other similar postcolonial travel narratives. After a postcolonial reading of Gamble’s narrative, it was inferred that Morocco is described as an ‘other space’ wherein the promises and limitations of the Western society are displaced, though not in a way this space is hermeneutically marked. The way Morocco has been delineated puts the West in the position of “creator”. This position of “creator” results in the necessity of dominating the different ‘Other’ and their ‘exotic’ space. The binarism of the ‘Self’ versus the ‘Other’ articulates the ‘racist’ discourse of imperial travel writing. It is not only a matter of mapping the ground for the so-called ‘civilizing mission’ but also a tool to enlarge the gap between the West and the Rest in cross-cultural encounters.

Using Homer’s Odyssey as a Culturally Familiar Literary Text in Foreign Language Teaching

2024-07-11T11:39:44+00:00

There has been increasing interest among TESOL teachers in the use of literary text as a resource in language learning, because it enhances students’ language skills and educational potential. This case study explores students’ engagement with Homer’s Odyssey as a culturally familiar literary text in their learning of English as a foreign language, in a Cypriot secondary school context. As a teacher-researcher, I designed and delivered an intervention of nine sessions to three classes of twenty Year 2 students. Reader-response theory was used to explore students’ reactions to the literary text. This study provides a new context, secondary school setting; most of the previous empirical studies have been undertaken in university settings and have focused on reading comprehension. The present study focuses on students’ voices, through exploring their perceptions and their responses to the literary text. The findings revealed students’ positive engagement, through their active involvement in the sessions and their enjoyment of the classes. Students’ emotional engagement with the text made them enrich their vocabulary and engage in writing and speaking tasks. Cultural familiarity provides appropriate scaffolding for teachers to use literary text in EFL teaching; culturally familiar literary text can enhance language teaching when used as an additional material to EFL curriculum. This teaching approach can therefore serve as a guideline for language teachers and for curriculum enhancement purposes.

The Effect of English as a Second Foreign Language On Learning Italian as a Third Foreign Language

2024-07-22T15:57:09+00:00

In certain educational contexts, the study of learner corpora yields intriguing and valuable insights. This paper aims to examine and analyze the interference of English, learned as a foreign language, on the acquisition of Italian. To this end, we investigated a corpus of written productions by Greek students learning Italian as their first foreign language and a corpus of written productions by Greek students learning Italian as their second foreign language. Research on corpora has demonstrated its ability to provide both qualitative and quantitative insights into the interference effects of second language acquisition on third language learning. Our findings indicate notable patterns in the use of functional words; specifically, there is an underuse of articles and an overuse of personal pronouns, attributable to the structural differences between English and Italian. Conversely, students learning Italian as a third language displayed greater accuracy in their use of content words.