Sumerianz Journal of Education, Linguistics and Literature

    
Online ISSN: 2617-1201
Print ISSN: 2617-1732

Quarterly Published (4 Issues Per Year)

Journal Website: https://www.sumerianz.com/?ic=journal-home&journal=33

Archive

Volume 5 Issue 3 (2022)

The Construction of Stance and Authorial Voice in Medical Texts Written by Professional Scholars

Authors :
Asma Mohammed Yahya ; Hesham Suleiman Alyousef

DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjell.53.58.70
Abstract:
The focus of the present study is on how professional scholars argue their propositions while maintaining a relationship of solidarity with their readers in the discussion section of medical research articles. More specifically, it provides explanations of (1) how attitude features of effect, judgment, and appreciation are disseminated across academic medical texts published in reputable journals, (2) how different writer voices are constructed through the use of evaluative language, and (3) the assumptions that professional published writers make about the values and beliefs of their readers. Mackey and Gass (2005) Appraisal theory was employed in the present study because it focuses on interpersonal meanings that provide writers and speakers with the means to be critical, value, reject, accept, and challenge other positions. The findings revealed high instances of Appraisal resources in the discussion section of the medical texts. Thus, language played an important role and was used rhetorically to achieve argumentative goals. The interpersonal language was highly achieved through resources of engagement. The study contributes new understandings of interpersonal meaning in the professional writers’ medical texts from the functional perspective of Appraisal theory. The findings may provide new directions for the development of literacy in the genre of academic research writing.

Pages: 58-70

Designing and Implementing an ESP Course During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Experience of This Teaching Modality in the Beninese Context

Authors : Pédro Marius EGOUNLETI
DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjell.53.50.57
Abstract:
This study examines how the process of designing an ESP (English for Specific Purposes) course registered by three EFL graduate students in didactics is structured along with participants at the University of Abomey Calavi (UAC). During the study, the designers should help a group of University of UAC workers to communicate in English effectively with international students who want to study at UAC or those who were already participating in international programmes there. This study introduces data about the trainees who benefit from this academic activity, tasks designed and taught, as well as the evaluation and assessment used. Finally, it suggests some recommendations for those who may consider the option of designing an ESP course as an effective strategy to promote the use of the English language in a work context.

Pages: 50-57

The Influence of Verbal Ability on the Writing Achievement of Undergraduates of Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria

Authors : Adaeze Regis-Onuoha ; Uche Ken Chukwu ; Chioma Chinedu-Oko
DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjell.53.44.49
Abstract:
This study investigated the extent to which verbal ability would influence the writing achievement of fresh undergraduate students of Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria. The pretest, posttest, control group, quasi experimental design was employed for the study. A sample of 425 students from a population of 5300 newly admitted undergraduates from four different faculties and departments of the university were the study participants. Three departments were used as the experimental groups while one was the control. These faculties and departments were selected through simple random sampling. A writing achievement test and a verbal ability test were the instruments used for the study. The data were collected from the writing scores and verbal test scores of the participants and analysed using mean and standard deviation, as well as Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). From the results of the study, it was found that verbal ability level did not significantly affect the writing achievement of participants. The findings indicate that students who apply themselves to their studies can excel in their writing irrespective of their level of verbal ability. It was therefore recommended that teachers in the different educational institutions should encourage their students to become proficient in the different areas of language covered by the verbal ability tests as this would help the students excel in their tertiary courses, while on the other hand, students should apply themselves to their studies as hard work and not verbal ability level is a key determinant determine in performance and achievement in their English language and other courses.

Pages: 44-49

Cybercrime in Assessment

Authors : V Obowu-Adutchay ; Fyneface Nyemahame Ndaokani
DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjell.53.38.43
Abstract:
This study investigated cybercrime in Assessment among students in Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. Two research questions and two corresponding null hypotheses guided the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. A sample of 400 year III students were drawn from the population through stratified proportionate sampling technique and used for the study. An instrument titled “Cybercrime Assessment Scale” (CAS) was used for the data analysis. The Face and Content validities of the instrument were determined by experts in measurement and evaluation. Test-retest method was used to determine the validity of the instrument and the coefficient obtained for the CAS was 0.77. Mean, standard deviation and independent t-test was used for the data analysis. The findings shows that; gender, Age significantly influence cybercrime in assessment among students in Rivers State university independently taken. Based on the findings conclusion and recommendations were made.

Pages: 38-43