Vahid Nimehchisalem
Universiti Putra Malaysia

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Revisiting integrative motivation: Validation of International Posture among Malaysian undergraduates Fatin Nabila Abd Razak; Vahid Nimehchisalem; Helen Tan; Geok Imm Lee; Ain Nadzimah Abdullah
Studies in English Language and Education Vol 9, No 1 (2022)
Publisher : Universitas Syiah Kuala

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (892.14 KB) | DOI: 10.24815/siele.v9i1.21838

Abstract

Gardner’s (1985) in his socio-educational model introduced the variable of ‘integrativeness’ as a construct that focuses on English as a Second Language (ESL) learners’ attitudes towards the native English community. Later, Yashima (2002) proposed ‘international posture’ as an affective construct that re-examined ‘integrativeness’. Research conducted to reach a common operationalisation of ‘international posture’ is very limited. Hence, our objective in this study is to determine the level of each measurement construct under the affective variable of International Posture as well as to validate the measurement constructs of this variable among Malaysian undergraduates. In this quantitative study, 540 undergraduate students from a public university were selected. These students responded to a questionnaire that contained the four measurement constructs. For analysing the data, we used Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Our results have proven that the International Posture among Malaysian undergraduates is high, and the measurement constructs of this variable are valid and can be operationalised in the Malaysian English language learning context. The scale validated in the study can contribute to future studies on this variable in the Malaysian English language learning context. 
Rhetorical structure in the problem statement section of Iranian postgraduate students' research projects Zahra Tarvirdizdeh; Vahid Nimehchisalem
Studies in English Language and Education Vol 8, No 2 (2021)
Publisher : Universitas Syiah Kuala

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (477.942 KB) | DOI: 10.24815/siele.v8i2.19118

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a study that investigated the structure of the Problem Statement (PS) section, following Swales’ (1990) Create-A-Research-Space (CARS) model as the first objective. Move analysis was used to analyze the rhetorical moves of the PS sections of the research projects. The second objective was the identification of the specific types of linguistic features associated with each move and step based on Pho’s (2013) classification. Following Pho (2013), the linguistic features as important signals of moves were identified.  For this purpose, 30 research projects written by Iranian master’s students were purposively selected. The findings showed that the obligatory moves were Moves 1 ‘Establishing a Territory’ and 2 ‘Establishing a Niche’. All moves and steps were identified linguistically although their sequence and arrangement were not the same as what was anticipated by the model. Although the cyclic and embedded moves were defined in the rhetorical structure of the PSs, most of them were anomalous or ill-structured. The study has theoretical contributions, the most significant one of which is that the CARS model is applicable to define and analyze the rhetorical structure of the PS section.
Students’ perceptions of personality traits, presentation skills, and audience factors in their online presentations Norwati Roslim; Vahid Nimehchisalem; Muhammad Hakimi Tew Abdullah; Nornadiah Mohd Razali
Studies in English Language and Education Vol 10, No 2 (2023)
Publisher : Universitas Syiah Kuala

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24815/siele.v10i2.25542

Abstract

This study aims to investigate undergraduates’ perspectives toward personality traits, presentation skills, and audience factors based on their experiences in online oral presentations as assessment tasks during English language classes. It also examines the factors affecting online oral presentations and suggestions to overcome them. To achieve this purpose, an online questionnaire with 5 sections and 28 items was distributed to 90 university undergraduate students. The data were analyzed descriptively using SPSS (version 26).  The results revealed that the undergraduates’ perceptions of online oral presentations depended on three essential factors. Personality traits included fears of failure in the oral presentation assessment resulting in students’ anxiety even when they were well prepared. Oral presentation skills included their concerns on grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and reading from notes during the oral presentation. The audience included feeling frightened to present in front of an audience and worried if their peers were better than them. To conclude, the important factors that students realized were the audience, personality traits, and presentation skills. Hence, suggestions that students had provided included having enough preparation and practice as well as receiving good support from lecturers. This study highlights the vital role of lecturers in preparing learners for online oral presentations and underscores the need for guiding effective preparation strategies such as practice sessions. 
Revisiting integrative motivation: Validation of International Posture among Malaysian undergraduates Fatin Nabila Abd Razak; Vahid Nimehchisalem; Helen Tan; Geok Imm Lee; Ain Nadzimah Abdullah
Studies in English Language and Education Vol 9, No 1 (2022)
Publisher : Universitas Syiah Kuala

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24815/siele.v9i1.21838

Abstract

Gardner’s (1985) in his socio-educational model introduced the variable of ‘integrativeness’ as a construct that focuses on English as a Second Language (ESL) learners’ attitudes towards the native English community. Later, Yashima (2002) proposed ‘international posture’ as an affective construct that re-examined ‘integrativeness’. Research conducted to reach a common operationalisation of ‘international posture’ is very limited. Hence, our objective in this study is to determine the level of each measurement construct under the affective variable of International Posture as well as to validate the measurement constructs of this variable among Malaysian undergraduates. In this quantitative study, 540 undergraduate students from a public university were selected. These students responded to a questionnaire that contained the four measurement constructs. For analysing the data, we used Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Our results have proven that the International Posture among Malaysian undergraduates is high, and the measurement constructs of this variable are valid and can be operationalised in the Malaysian English language learning context. The scale validated in the study can contribute to future studies on this variable in the Malaysian English language learning context. 
Rhetorical structure in the problem statement section of Iranian postgraduate students' research projects Zahra Tarvirdizdeh; Vahid Nimehchisalem
Studies in English Language and Education Vol 8, No 2 (2021)
Publisher : Universitas Syiah Kuala

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24815/siele.v8i2.19118

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a study that investigated the structure of the Problem Statement (PS) section, following Swales’ (1990) Create-A-Research-Space (CARS) model as the first objective. Move analysis was used to analyze the rhetorical moves of the PS sections of the research projects. The second objective was the identification of the specific types of linguistic features associated with each move and step based on Pho’s (2013) classification. Following Pho (2013), the linguistic features as important signals of moves were identified.  For this purpose, 30 research projects written by Iranian master’s students were purposively selected. The findings showed that the obligatory moves were Moves 1 ‘Establishing a Territory’ and 2 ‘Establishing a Niche’. All moves and steps were identified linguistically although their sequence and arrangement were not the same as what was anticipated by the model. Although the cyclic and embedded moves were defined in the rhetorical structure of the PSs, most of them were anomalous or ill-structured. The study has theoretical contributions, the most significant one of which is that the CARS model is applicable to define and analyze the rhetorical structure of the PS section.