Verbosity and Politeness: External Mitigation of Request Speech Acts in Australian English and Iraqi Arabic

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This paper examines external modifiers that Australian English native speakers and Iraqi Arabic native speakers use to soften the force of request speech acts in everyday situations. Request samples were collected by means of role-play interview and external devices employed to mitigate the request acts were identified and classified using a framework based on CCSARP model. The results showed that external mitigating devices were pervasive in requests from both groups. The two groups have also been found to use different semantic formulae of some mitigating devices in specific situations. The occurrence of external mitigators in both groups’ requests is discussed in terms of verbosity as a politeness strategy. It is also suggested that the divergence between the two groups in their utilisation of request mitigations is related to cultural variations between the Australian and Iraqi cultures.

Applying Flipped Classroom Model: A Case Study in Teaching English for Academic Purposes at International School, Vietnam National University Hanoi

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Flipped classroom, or inverted classroom is a teaching approach in which new content can be learned at home with the support of digital materials sent by teachers and homework can be done in class through discussion and group work activities. This mode of teaching has been being implemented quite widely in the world, but it has only been paid a lot of attention in Vietnam recently. The present study investigates the application of flipped classroom model in teaching English for Academic purposes (EAP) for undergraduate students at International School, Vietnam National University (IS-VNU). An action research to implement flipped classroom model in teaching EAP was carried out in a class of 21 sophomores at VNU-IS. Findings indicate that there is an improvement in class time management and VNU-IS students’ involvement in EAP educational process. Besides, based on results of questionnaires and observation, students and teacher alike have the positive perceptions of flipped learning applied in EAP course. It is therefore concluded that flipped classroom mode will possibly be a complementary method in delivering EAP lessons at IS-VNU. The study also points out some recommendations for better implementation of flipped classroom in further researches.

A Stylistic Analysis of Foregrounding in Sonnet 18

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This paper provides a stylistic analysis of William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, focusing on the concept of foregrounding. The analysis is divided into two main parts: graphological deviation and semantic deviation. Graphological deviation examines the use of punctuation marks such as colons, semicolons, and question marks to create visual and syntactic emphasis. Semantic deviation explores rhetorical devices like personification, rhyme scheme, repetition, and the specific choice of verbs and adjectives to uncover the thematic resonance and layered meanings in the sonnet. The study highlights how these deviations collectively enhance the thematic impact of Sonnet 18, showcasing Shakespeare’s mastery in using stylistic elements to convey the enduring beauty and timeless nature of love. The paper concludes by discussing the broader implications of these findings for understanding Shakespearean poetry and suggests directions for future research in this field.

The Principal’s Strategy in Improving the Quality of Quality Islamic Education Institutions Through Analyzing Teacher Characteristics

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Islamic education aims to form a whole human being with healthy characteristics in mind, body, spirit, and morals and skills. The role of the principal as a leader can affect the quality of education in an institution. Therefore, creativity and seriousness to advance educational institutions, especially Islamic educational institutions, are important to be realized in the form of achievement strategies. The purpose of this study is to explain how the principal’s strategy in improving the quality of Islamic education by analyzing the characteristics of teachers who are the main actors in the world of education. The method in this study uses a qualitative approach with observation and interview techniques. The results of the research obtained that the analysis of teacher characteristics carried out at Private Islamic Schools in Dau sub-district has not been entirely fulfilled. Teacher characteristics that should be owned are: (1) Customer Focus, (2) Total Involvement, (3) assessment, (4) commitment, and (5) continuous improvement. apparently still not entirely owned. This can be followed up by providing training and debriefing to teachers and involving teachers in major activities that involve the community in the Islamic Education Institution.

Euphemisms as Cultural and Social Phenomenon: Cross- Cultural Contrastive Study of English and Albanian Euphemistic Expressions

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Euphemisms have been traditionally viewed as social taboos operative within the language-community and specifically as being “isolated” into their historical contexts and the established cultural conditions. Euphemisms help us to understand how taboo topics are conceived in cultural groups and what beliefs are accepted, rejected, or implicitly legitimated.  Indeed, it is the social and cultural nature of euphemisms that make them so changing over time and across societies

Different cultural backgrounds have reflected various views and attitudes towards delicate and touching issues such as taboos. In this context Albanian and English communities as distinguishable culturally identified societies have in an original and unrepetitive way designated the linguistic material in the process of euphemistic expressions generation and embedment. This contrastive analysis aims at investigating the way superstitious and social taboos have given rise to several types of euphemisms in both languages, linguistic materials which should be explained based on social cultural and mental grounds and peoples’ general belief that there is a somehow supernatural and instinctive hidden link between the linguistic sign and the referent it represents. At this point, it seems that Albanian and English communities have not “suffered” from similar unexplained fears, doubts, insecurities, and irrationalities. It is more than evident that while consulting the euphemistic corpus of Albanian and English euphemisms, distinguishable differences can be spotted.

Measuring the Integration of Data Analytics in the Computerized Accounting Curriculum

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This study demonstrates a framework for integrating data analytics into an existing undergraduate accounting curriculum, that students are introduced to data analytics progressively while not requiring additional semester credit units. The Qasim model proposes course learning outcomes related to data analysis with specific course levels from lecturers and students of accounting study program. The findings showed that data analysis materials are identified as existing and impact changes in learning materials. Empirically, there are differences in the level of understanding and mastery of skills in data analysis tools between lecturers and students. The course that needed to develop the adoption of data analysis material is intermediate financial accounting expansively. This model can be a reference for lecturers and curriculum committees when updating the accounting curriculum to include data analytics integrating.

Tanzimat Reforms and the Ottoman Empire’s Reaction to Western Powers, 1839-1876

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The Ottoman Empire entered the 19th century under pressure to preserve its existence against Western powers. Dismissing the illusions of past superiority, the Ottoman court acknowledged that reforms had to be instituted to end the Empire’s long-time stagnation and instability. The Tanzimat reform movement was the most significant reaction of the Ottoman Empire to the Western powers during the period between 1839 and 1876. During the Tanzimat period, all aspects of the empire were reshaped in a new way with certain success. Through Tanzimat, the Ottoman Empire continued to preserve its position as one of the major powers of the European political order, re-established its autonomy in domestic affairs, and successfully defended its sovereignty in many disputed regions with considerable might against a powerful emerging West.

Correlating Managerial Activities, Academic Supervision, and Teacher Competence in Public Elementary Schools

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The objective of this study is to explore the immediate links between the management practices of principals and the organizational atmosphere, as well as the direct connections between the academic oversight by principals and the professional skills of public elementary school educators in the Kuripan District of Barito Kuala Regency. Utilizing a quantitative approach, this investigation employs a correlational study design that is articulated through a path analysis framework. The study encompasses a total of 55 educators, with the sample including the entire population via a comprehensive sampling method. The methodology for gathering data incorporates the use of surveys and the examination of PKG (Teacher Performance Assessment) records. The analysis of the data involves descriptive statistics, tests for normality, linearity, and multicollinearity prerequisites, alongside assessments of validity and reliability, and the execution of multiple regression analyses for hypothesis testing, including t-tests, F tests, and evaluations of effective and relative contributions, in addition to path analysis. Findings indicate a direct correlation between the principals’ managerial roles and the professional capabilities of teachers at 0.352, between principals’ managerial roles and the organizational environment at 0.424, between academic oversight and teachers’ professional capabilities at 0.335, between academic oversight and the organizational environment at 0.380, and between the organizational environment and teachers’ professional capabilities at 0.346. Indirect correlations were observed between managerial activities of principals through the organizational climate on teachers’ professional capabilities at 0.147, and academic oversight through organizational climate impacting teachers’ professional capabilities (Y) at 0.131. In summary, the study confirms both direct and indirect associations between the managerial tasks of principals and academic oversight, mediated by the organizational climate, with the professional competence of teachers.

Role Playing to Improve English Vocabulary Ability in Speaking Skill

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In this study, initially scoring at 2.15, the objective was to enhance students’ English vocabulary for speaking through a role-playing learning strategy, using a Collaborative Classroom Action Research approach. The methodology involved stages of planning, action, observation, and reflection in distinct cycles, each comprising two meetings. Data were collected using methods like speaking skill evaluations, questionnaires on role-playing practice, and field notes. The participants were fourth-semester students of the D3 English Study Program at Madiun State Polytechnic. Notably, student scores in speaking vocabulary improved across cycles, from 2.42 in the first to 3.15 in the third, meeting the success criterion of 3.01 and demonstrating the effectiveness of the role-playing strategy in the learning process.

Development of Interactive Poetry Writing Teaching Materials with Smart Themed Differentiated Learning Design in Class X SMA Brawijaya Smart School

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Indonesian language and literature learning currently has many learning resources, but interactive learning resources that suit the needs of teachers and students are still rarely found. Existing learning resources are usually presented in full in textbooks. The learning material is presented in accordance with the basic competencies listed in the curriculum so that it looks less attractive to students. The aim of this research is to develop interactive poetry writing teaching materials with a SMART-themed differentiation learning design for class X SMA Brawijaya Smart School students. It is hoped that the development of teaching materials will help learning to write poetry. Development research steps include needs analysis, product development, conducting small group trials according to the setting in which the product is used, and revising the results of product trials. This research uses a development procedure adapted from the Borg & Gall development model which produces 7 steps, namely (1) information collection, (2) planning, (3) product draft development, (4) product validation, (5) feasibility testing, ( 6) product revision, and (7) final product. In this research, the data collection techniques used were through interview guides, validation sheets, and student questionnaires. The data analysis carried out involved descriptive analysis techniques, both qualitative and quantitative. The results of the development process have several main menus that can help students, such as homepage, introduction, learning objectives, materials, learning videos, and evaluation. Based on the results of the assessment, validation by content and language experts is included in the very appropriate/valid criteria, namely 97.2% and 95.8%. Likewise, the validation of learning and media design experts is included in the very feasible/valid criteria, namely 95.8% and 93.7%. The assessment of the student questionnaire also includes very appropriate/valid criteria, namely student characteristics of 81.3% and level of understanding of material regarding procedural texts of 83.7%. The results from the teacher questionnaire were assessed with very appropriate/valid criteria, namely the effectiveness and efficiency of teaching materials was 93.75%, the systematics of teaching materials was 87.5%, the language was 100%, and the appearance of teaching materials was 88.8%. The conclusion of this research is that the development of interactive poetry writing teaching materials with a SMART-themed differentiation learning design in class X SMA Brawijaya Smart School is very suitable/valid for use in the learning process. Suggestions for future research are to conduct in-depth trials on the effectiveness of web-based teaching material products with differentiated learning designs and disseminate web-based teaching material products with differentiated learning designs in schools that have the same characteristics.