Summary of Research Study: Metalinguistic awareness and academic achievement: Finding correlations among high-achieving EFL learners
The document examines the relationship between metalinguistic awareness and academic achievement among high-achieving Saudi EFL learners, highlighting differences in performance between male and female students.
Metalinguistic Awareness and Academic Achievement
This study explores the correlation between metalinguistic awareness and academic performance among high-achieving Saudi EFL learners.
- Metalinguistic awareness is the ability to reflect on and manipulate language.
- The study involved 86 high-achieving EFL students from Saudi universities.
- Results indicate satisfactory academic achievement in English, with a mean score of 87.67.
- Female students outperformed male students in both academic achievement and metalinguistic awareness.
Research Purpose and Design
The research aims to assess the relationship between academic achievement and metalinguistic awareness among Saudi EFL learners.
- The study specifically describes academic achievement, metalinguistic awareness, gender differences, and the relationship between the two variables.
- A descriptive correlational research design was employed with a sample of 86 students.
- Participants were randomly selected from the B.A. Program in the English Department at Qassim University.
Methodology and Instrumentation
The study utilized standardized tests to measure academic achievement and metalinguistic awareness.
- Academic achievement was assessed using a 100-item English Language Proficiency Test.
- Metalinguistic awareness was evaluated using an adapted version of Dita’s Metalingual Awareness Test.
- The tests were validated in the Saudi context and pilot tested prior to the main study.
Results on Academic Achievement
The findings reveal the academic performance levels of the students in EFL subjects.
- The majority of students scored in the "Proficient" category (41%).
- 7% of students were classified as "Highly Proficient," while 2% scored "Poor."
- The overall mean score of 87.67 indicates that students are capable of learning English effectively.
Results on Metalinguistic Awareness
The study assessed students' levels of metalinguistic awareness across different dimensions.
- Students showed a "Very Satisfactory" level of awareness in language arbitrariness (mean = 37.45).
- Phonological awareness was rated as "Satisfactory" (mean = 28.59), and vocabulary performance was also "Satisfactory" (mean = 29.34).
- The overall mean for metalinguistic awareness was 31.79, indicating satisfactory performance.
Gender Differences in Achievement
The study found significant differences in academic achievement and metalinguistic performance based on gender.
- Female students had a mean academic achievement score of 86.47, while males scored 83.43.
- In metalinguistic performance, females scored 48.38 compared to males' 43.35.
- The p-values for both variables were significant (p < 0.05), indicating notable gender differences.
Correlation Between Achievement and Awareness
The research established a positive correlation between academic achievement and metalinguistic awareness.
- A Pearson correlation value of r = 0.32 indicates a significant relationship at the 0.01 alpha level.
- Higher levels of metalinguistic awareness are associated with better academic performance in English.
- The study concludes that metalinguistic awareness is a predictor of English language proficiency.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The study concludes with implications for educational practices and future research.
- There is a clear relationship between academic achievement and metalinguistic awareness among Saudi EFL students.
- Recommendations include enhancing teacher training, developing online language programs, and focusing on male students' performance.
- Future research should consider mixed-ability groups and include additional variables such as socio-economic factors.
Factors Influencing Academic Performance
The study explores various elements that affect students' academic success in secondary schools in India.
- Research conducted by Kapur (2018) highlights multiple factors impacting academic performance.
- The study emphasizes the importance of understanding these factors to improve educational outcomes.
Metalinguistic Awareness and Academic Performance
This topic examines the relationship between metalinguistic awareness and students' academic achievements.
- Keka Varadwaj (2018) investigates the Big Five personality traits and their mediation through metalinguistic awareness on academic performance.
- Spellerberg (2016) discusses metalinguistic awareness in a linguistically diverse school setting and its correlation with academic achievement.
- Tighe et al. (2019) assess the direct and indirect effects of metalinguistic awareness on reading comprehension skills.
Digital Learning and Language Acquisition
The focus here is on the impact of informal digital learning on language skills and vocabulary acquisition.
- Mohammed & Ali (2021) analyze Saudi EFL learners' attitudes towards informal digital learning of English vocabulary.
- Nami (2020) explores students' choices and perceptions regarding educational smartphone apps for language learning in higher education.
Gender and Self-Efficacy in Education
This section discusses the influence of gender on self-efficacy within educational settings.
- Namaziandost & Çakmak (2020) provide insights into EFL learners' self-efficacy and gender differences in a flipped classroom model.
Comparative Studies on Language Skills
The research compares English language skills and academic performance among different student demographics.
- Nasirudeen & Xiao (2020) compare Asian international and domestic nursing students in Singapore regarding their English language skills and academic performance.
Mobile Learning Interventions in ESL Classrooms
This topic evaluates the effectiveness of mobile learning interventions on academic performance in ESL settings.
- Ng et al. (2020) conduct a quasi-experiment to assess the impact of guided mobile learning interventions on time use and academic performance.
Research Proposal Writing in Education
The integration of research proposal writing into educational courses is examined for its implications.
- Saeed et al. (2021) discuss the significance of incorporating research proposal writing into postgraduate research methods courses.
Reading Skills and Metalinguistic Awareness
The relationship between reading skills and metalinguistic awareness is analyzed.
- Varga (2021) investigates how metalinguistic awareness correlates with reading skills among learners.
Critical Perspectives on Metalinguistic Awareness
This section critiques the concept of metalinguistic awareness from a linguistic standpoint.
- Woll (2019) provides a critical examination of how French speakers reflect on their language and the implications for metalinguistic awareness.
Bilingualism and Word Reading
The effects of bilingualism on children's word reading abilities are explored.
- Zhang et al. (2017) conduct a cross-lagged panel study on bilingual children's metalinguistic awareness and its facilitation of cross-linguistic transfer in word reading.
Comments
Post a Comment