Open Access
Investigating the interrelationship between rated L2 proficiency and linguistic complexity in L2 speech
(Elsevier, 2020) Bulté, Bram; Roothooft, Hanne; Ciencias Humanas y de la Educación; Giza eta Hezkuntza Zientziak
This study investigates the relationship between nine quantitative measures of L2 speech complexity and subjectively rated L2 proficiency by comparing the oral productions of English L2 learners at five IELTS proficiency levels. We carry out ANOVAs with pairwise comparisons to identify differences between proficiency levels, as well as ordinal logistic regression modelling, allowing us to combine multiple complexity dimensions in a single analysis. The results show that for eight out of nine measures, targeting syntactic, lexical and morphological complexity, a significant overall effect of proficiency level was found, with measures of lexical diversity (i.e. Guiraud's index and HD-D), overall syntactic complexity (mean length of AS-unit), phrasal elaboration (mean length of noun phrase) and morphological richness (morphological complexity index) showing the strongest association with proficiency level. Three complexity measures emerged as significant predictors in our logistic regression model, each targeting different linguistic dimensions: Guiraud's index, the subordination ratio and the morphological complexity index.
Open Access
Feedback in second language writing: contexts and issues: reseña
(Asociación Europea de Lenguas para Fines Específicos (AELFE), 2020) Roothooft, Hanne; Ciencias Humanas y de la Educación; Giza eta Hezkuntza Zientziak
Given the growing number of studies dedicated to feedback in second language writing in the last two decades, Ken Hyland and Fiona Hyland felt it was time for a second edition of the edited volume which was first published in 2006. Only four of the original chapters have been maintained, in an updated form, and ten new chapters have been added. The second edition of ‘Feedback in Second Language Writing’ touches upon a wide range of important issues, many of which are in need of further research.
Open Access
Pronunciation anxiety, pronunciation-related views and pronunciation learning actions of EMI and english major students
(University of Lodz, 2023) Gómez Lacabex, Esther; Roothooft, Hanne; Ciencias Humanas y de la Educación; Giza eta Hezkuntza Zientziak
The present study explored pronunciation views, learning actions and anxiety in two differentiated English learner groups: one group which was studying English in an engineering degree and another group enrolled in an English major degree. The results froma questionnaire and focus group sessions revealed that the groups share some views such as a wish to improve their English pronunciation and adherence to native pronunciation references as well as pronunciation learning actions such as watching series ortalking to native speakers. However, we also observed significant differences between the groups as the English major students tended to view pronunciation learning as a discipline, while the engineering students saw it as a communicative skill. The English majors also exhibited more pronunciation anxiety, specifically fear of ridicule and worry of making mistakes. They also revealed more anxiety-related themes in the focus group discussions such as worry about their pronunciation, pronunciation shame or unease because they do not know how to pronounce a word or cannot understand. Finally, the English major group was also more demanding of lecturers¿ accurate pronunciation. These results suggest that differences regarding English pronunciation anxiety between different learner profiles may need to be considered during their English language learning progress.
Open Access
Pronunciation in EMI: conceptualization, interlocutor anxiety and attitudes towards lecturer speech
(Equinox Publishing, 2023) Gómez Lacabex, Esther; Roothooft, Hanne; Ciencias Humanas y de la Educación; Giza eta Hezkuntza Zientziak
The consolidation of English as a global language has brought with it the need to reconceptualise aspects such as English pronunciation, which seems to be experiencing a detachment from the native norm and the integration of multicultural identities. EMI students have been reported to favour intelligibility over accurate pronunciation, as they represent a community of learners for whom English is a tool rather than a target. As previous research has reported that pronunciation may be an anxiety factor for students in speaking exchanges, this study explored how 126 EMI students envision the learning of pronunciation, their attitudes towards EMI teachers¿ pronunciation and their pronunciation anxiety upon interaction with different interlocutors in their EMI context: teachers, local peers, L1 English international peers and L2 English international peers. The data from a questionnaire and focus groups revealed that these EMI learners conceptualize pronunciation as a communication tool rather than a subject to be learnt; they revealed that they do not experience uneasiness during lessons owing to their lecturers¿ pronunciation, expressing that fluency is more important than pronunciation accuracy. Finally, they showed more pronunciation anxiety if the interlocutor was the teacher or an L1 English speaker than if it was a local peer or L2 English speaker.
Open Access
Transitioning to English medium instruction in operations management courses taught on Spanish business degrees: perceptions and diagnosis
(OmniaScience, 2020) Alfaro Tanco, José A.; Roothooft, Hanne; Breeze, Ruth; Ciencias Humanas y de la Educación; Giza eta Hezkuntza Zientziak
Purpose: The objective of the present study is to analyze the effects of the transition to English Medium Instruction (EMI) on lecturers in Spanish universities in one specific area, namely Operations Management courses taught in Business degrees. Methodology: After reviewing the bibliography, we designed a questionnaire based on previous research into EMI in non-Anglophone countries. By administering this online, we gathered information from 20 EMI lecturers giving Operations Management courses in thirteen Spanish Universities. The data were analyzed by means of a descriptive analysis of the closed-ended questions and thematic content analysis of the open-ended questions. Findings: Most professors report that they initially reacted negatively to the idea of having to teach in English, but now realize that most of their fears were ungrounded. They emphasize that it is very important to invest time in training seminars and the exchange of experiences. Other relevant findings are the perceived lack of incentives to teach in English, the need to use tools and techniques to improve the interaction with students, and the considerable amount of time needed for class preparation. Our results are discussed in the light of the bibliography on EMI and recommendations are made with regard to the implementation of EMI in Operations Management courses and related areas. Originality/value: The results of this small-scale study of EMI in OM shed important light on how EMI is impacting on one field. They are consistent with previous research elsewhere, but also provide some insights that may pave the way for further research and development.
Open Access
Teaching note-taking in EMI: an experimental study in economics and business administration
(De Gruyter, 2024) Breeze, Ruth; Roothooft, Hanne; Meyer, Marcel; Ciencias humanas y de la educación; Giza eta Hezkuntza Zientziak
Learning to take effective notes is particularly difficult for non-English-native university students enrolled on English Medium Instruction (EMI) courses. However, time and cost constraints mean that many universities provide no support in English for academic purposes or academic skills. One solution to this problem would be to work closely with subject lecturers to develop training that can be delivered within the framework of the EMI content courses themselves. We developed a pilot programme for training students to take effective notes in English and applied it within the context of a first-year content course in Economics and Business Administration at a Spanish university. The students improved on several measures from the pre-test to the post-test, and provided positive feedback. They particularly appreciated learning how to build outlines, simplify information, and use abbreviations and symbols. Questionnaire responses indicated that they had found the training useful and appreciated the possibilities for direct application of the new skills acquired in their other EMI courses. Further research on how to train students in academic language competences within the ecologically valid setting of the EMI classroom itself could include support with subject-focused academic writing and speaking skills.
Open Access
The reading rainbow of young multilingual learners: reading comprehension in the majority (Spanish), regional (Basque) and foreign (English) language
(Elsevier, 2025-03-31) Lázaro Ibarrola, Amparo; Luquin Urtasun, María; Roothooft, Hanne; Ciencias humanas y de la educación; Giza eta Hezkuntza Zientziak
Reading comprehension is crucial in education, serving as the foundation for acquiring knowledge. In multilingual settings, children must develop these skills in multiple languages. However, there is limited understanding of comprehension levels across languages and of the role of influencing factors such as language exposure, non-verbal intelligence (NVI), socioeconomic status (SES), and extramural reading (ER). This study explores how these variables impact the reading comprehension of young learners (aged 10–11) in English (foreign language), Spanish (main language), and Basque (regional language for Basque-immersion participants). The participants were divided into a high-intensity (HI) group (N = 118) and a low-intensity (LI) group (N = 81) within Basque-immersion programs. Results showed correlations among reading comprehension scores in Spanish, English, and Basque. While both groups demonstrated similar Spanish comprehension levels, the HI group excelled in English, particularly among high-NVI learners. LI learners scored lower in Basque compared to Spanish. Regression analyses indicated that NVI and, to a lesser extent, SES influenced reading comprehension across languages. Also, HI learners engaged more in English ER, whereas LI learners favored Basque. However, ER did not have a significant impact on their reading scores. Based on these findings, pedagogical implications for multilingual education contexts will be discussed.
Open Access
English writing competence and EMI performance: student and expert perceptions of academic writing in EMI
(University of Belgrade, 2025-01-01) Roothooft, Hanne; Breeze, Ruth; Meyer, Marcel; Ciencias humanas y de la educación; Giza eta Hezkuntza Zientziak
University English Medium Instruction (EMI) programmes place heavy demands on students' writing skills, yet academic writing support is rarely provided. This paper investigates the English academic writing competences of a group of Economics students taking EMI courses at a Spanish university from a triple perspective: we compare how these students rated their own writing competence, and how content teachers and language experts rated the texts they produced. After examining whether the students' self-assessment correlated with the content grade awarded by the course teacher and with evaluations of their work by language experts, we found major discrepancies between students' self-reported confidence in their writing ability and their actual performance as assessed independently. Importantly, the quality of students' writing was significantly correlated with their overall content score. Our conclusions suggest that students would benefit from academic writing training if it could be tailored to meet specific needs that arise in the university context. Content teachers should collaborate with language experts to design writing programmes focused on course requirements.