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While scientific publications are key to communicating research findings to other scientists, students face barriers reading scientific literature, understanding the literature's importance, and thinking about the implications of research findings. To help students overcome these barriers, and to further hone their communication skills, we created and provide here a project to have students find a recent scientific paper of interest, carefully read the paper, and then write a letter with relevant questions to one of the authors. This work not only helps engage students with class concepts and increases scientific engagement, but is also important because students realize that scientists are people too, who can (and often do!) write back to interested students to answer their questions. We suggest that this project is a great way for students to form meaningful connections to a scientific topic of interest, regardless of whether they hear back from their scientist, and is a good way for students to further learn about campus resources and develop their writing and communication skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical thinking is essential in academia and the workforce. Although writing can be used as a pedagogical tool for fostering deeper subject matter understanding, increased retention, and critical thinking, relatively few science courses are writing based. This writing-based introductory science course provided an opportunity for students to learn biology content through writing while also developing critical thinking skills. In this undergraduate introductory biology course, a learning progression framework was applied to writing assignments in order to promote critical thinking. Early course assignments focused on lower-order critical thinking, including information gathering and concept connecting activities, and served as the foundation for writing an evaluative research paper (REP) that required the application and analysis of biology content knowledge within different contexts. Based on the analysis of REP assignments using standardized criteria for assessing critical thinking, students were found to significantly increase their ability to demonstrate critical thinking. Students also became more aware of their critical thinking development, made stronger connections between concepts and applications in other contexts, and displayed measurable increases in critical thinking from their first to final drafts of their papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of mobile devices such as smartphones provides new opportunities to enhance the teaching–learning process of a foreign language. However, its use can affect not only the students' type and form of writing but also their ability to achieve the academic competencies targeted. Thus, aspects such as the development of linguistic and communicative competencies could be affected. In this paper, a comparative analysis of two different versions (a paper and a digital version) of the same learning task is carried out in order to analyze the impact of each on the development of students' linguistic and communicative competencies. The study is conducted with undergraduate students enrolled in a course called German II. Modern Language I (level A1.2, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). The results obtained illustrate, on the one hand, the advantages of the paper version for developing students' linguistic competence and, on the other hand, that the digital version, despite facilitating students' interaction amongst each other, does not seem to be more suitable for developing students' communicative competence. Future studies will, therefore, focus on identifying those features that might increase the potential of the digital version for fostering the targeted competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Profile: Issues in Teachers' Professional Development is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias Humanas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Misan Journal of Academic Studies is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Effective communication is pivotal to professional success in civil engineering. However, rural students often face unique challenges in mastering oral communication, especially in English. This study seeks to examine the challenges faced by engineering students from rural backgrounds when speaking English and the underlying reasons for these difficulties. This paper implemented specific tasks inspired by task-based language teaching methodology in the study of participants to analyze their speaking challenges and their root causes. The findings revealed that speaking English posed challenges primarily due to fear of errors, anxiety, shyness and low confidence levels. This paper proposes solutions, such as creating a supportive environment and promoting regular English communication, to address these issues. The research highlights the transformative impact of effective communication and calls for further studies to refine and expand these educational strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aircraft flight simulators have good cost efficiency, high reusability, and high flight safety. All airlines and aircraft manufacturing companies choose it as sophisticated training equipment for ground simulation, effectively reducing pilot training costs, ensuring personnel safety and aircraft wear and tear. The new simulator proposed in this paper combines a digital motion-cueing algorithm, flight software and motion platform to make pilots feel as if they are in the real world. By using EtherCAT technology to drive the motion-cueing platform, it can improve the data transmission speed of the simulator as well as the strong anti-interference ability of communication and the control operation efficiency. Therefore, the simulated flight subjects can perform long-distance and large-angle training. Next, a set of measurement systems was established to provide monitoring items including attitude, velocity and acceleration, which can be displayed on the screen and recorded on the computer in real time and dynamically. Finally, seven training subjects were implemented to demonstrate the feasibility and correctness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the language use of science and laboratory technology and pharmaceutical students of federal polytechnic, mubi Adamawa State. The theoretical framework underpinning the research is error analysis (EA), a theory of second language acquisition (SLA) which is concerned with the identification, description, and explanation of language learner's error in either the spoken or written form. 4 randomly selected ND II students from each of the two departments during the 2021/2022 academic session wrote SIWES report on their industrial training (IT) programme. The technical reports were marked for error identification. The identified error were marked as thus: Verb, Spelling, wrongs words, Nouns, Punctuation/Capitalization, Pronouns, articles, abbreviation/Coinages and prepositions. Descriptive/Statistics involving of measure of central tendency (percentage and means scores) were use to analyze the data collected. Based on Ellis and Barkhurzen's (2005) surface structure taxonomy of error categorization, most of the errors can be categorized into those of omission, addition, misformation, and misordering. Following form the underlying assumption of (EA) as it relates to error in second language learning, the identified error can be said to have been the result of overgeneralization of rules, interference from the mother tongue, extra lingual factors such as textbooks and inadequate learning. Its recommended that giving an enabling environment, functional teaching of English should be encouraged to improve the communicative competence of the learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: MyDispense is a free online virtual simulation software developed by Monash University. The software facilitates students to practise, apply and hone the skills of a pharmacist in a realistic environment without the potentially life-threatening consequences of a real-life error. Although the focus of MyDispense was initially on exposure to community pharmacy practice scenarios, its modular build and customizability, indicate that there are a wide range of applications that could be incorporated into pharmacy education. Therefore, this study reviews and appraises the literature on the use of MyDispense within pharmacy education. Methods: A scoping review was conducted. The electronic databases (CINAHL, Ovid Embase, Ovid Medline, Google Scholar, and Scopus) were searched to identify scholarly articles related to MyDispense in pharmacy education from January 2011 and August 2022. Results: Forty-three papers met the inclusion criteria and were analysed in this scoping review. A total of 418 key sentences and segments of text were extracted from the papers and subsequently categorized into 10 subthemes. The 10 subthemes were dispensing skills, communication skills, decision-making/problem-solving skills, student performance, pharmacy law, applying theoretical knowledge, support educators, pharmacy practice, feedback/reflection and practice in a risk-free environment. In total, four overarching themes summarize how MyDispense is supporting pharmacy education: supporting education; skill development; application of knowledge and student outcomes. Conclusion: The scoping review found that MyDispense was mostly used to support education and student skill development. These findings can be used to support pharmacy educators globally on the various uses and applications of MyDispense in their teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Despite the decrease in the number of foreign visitors and residents in Japan due to the coronavirus disease 2019, a resurgence is remarkable from 2022. However, Japan's medical support system for foreign patients, especially residents, is inadequate, with language barriers potentially causing health disparities. Comprehensive interpretation and translation services are challenging, but "plain Japanese" may be a viable alternative for foreign patients with basic Japanese language skills. This study explores the application and obstacles of plain Japanese in the medical sector. Methods: A literature review was performed across these databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, CINAHL Plus, Springer Link and Ichushi-Web (Japanese medical literature). The search covered themes related to healthcare, care for foreign patients, and scholarly articles, and was conducted in July 2023. Results: The study incorporated five papers. Each paper emphasized the language barriers foreign residents in Japan face when accessing healthcare, highlighting the critical role and necessity of plain Japanese in medical environments. Most of the reports focused on the challenges of delivering medical care to foreign patients and the training of healthcare professionals in using plain Japanese for communication. Conclusion: The knowledge and application of plain Japanese among healthcare professionals are inadequate, and literature also remains scarce. With the increasing number of foreign residents in Japan, the establishment of a healthcare system that effectively uses plain Japanese is essential. However, plain Japanese may not be the optimal linguistic assistance in certain situations, thus it is imperative to encourage more research and reports on healthcare services using plain Japanese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The holistic approach to admissions includes an evaluation of traditional measures (e.g., cumulative grade-point average), attributes unique to the applicant (e.g., leadership), and variables important to the field (e.g., interpersonal skills). Outlined in this clinical focus article is an innovative approach to holistic admissions that includes evaluation of a video-recorded response to a case-based prompt and a live interview that includes application of knowledge, demonstration of critical thinking skills, and assessment of personal attributes. Conclusions: This comprehensive process includes evaluation of an applicant's knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions. Planning, implementation, outcomes, evaluation, and challenges of this approach are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To confront global environmental challenges, architectural design can play an important role to achieve sustainability. This paper addresses the Online collaborative approach to support the integration of environmental sustainability. It will assess the efficacy of integrating collaborative online international learning exchange (COIL) and cross-cultural dialogue pedagogy into a sustainable architecture studio course to develop students’ architectural and intercultural competencies. In this study 16 groups, each group consists of 3-4 students, from An Najah university in Palestine and Memphis university in USA were involved in shared learning classroom model. Different methods were used to assess the students’ outcomes, such as reflection reports written by the students, the use of new technologies for design and communication, and the outcomes from the architectural design. The results show changes in the students' understanding of different cultures, they improved their communication skills, and their ability to design in different contexts. The findings also underline the importance of integrating COIL into architectural design education to create professionals who are able to design a resilient and sustainable built environment. The paper introduces intercultural dialogue framework and a new pedagogical technique in the field of virtual exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to provide instructors with a hands-on engaging and experiential class activity designed to teach undergraduate and graduate students about different organizational structures in management courses. Through this exercise, students will be able to self-identify the challenges and strengths of working under contrasting organizational structures. Split into two (or four) teams, students construct origami animals based on their team's organizational structure, using both mechanistic and organic structures to create a zoo based on a set of instructions and boundary conditions. Materials required include origami paper, markers, printed instructions, origami animal instructions, and role title cards for each student. The exercise takes approximately 30–45 min, including debriefing discussion. All materials/instructions needed are included with this paper (except origami paper and markers). Through this exercise, students internalize the challenges and strengths of working in organizations with contrasting structures. The debrief discussion will help solidify student understanding of what the day to day experience of working in different organizational structures might look like, the pros and cons of different structures, and what type of employees or industries might thrive under different structures. This paper is being submitted for the "Special Issue Call for Papers: Modern Day Experiential Exercises." This activity allows students to draw their own conclusions about organizational structure and to engage in a fruitful discussion about what working at different types of organizations looks like on a day-to-day basis. This activity allows students to strengthen their skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership by having them work in teams to complete a challenging, competitive task. While teaching organizational structure in management courses has traditionally been limited to traditional forms of instruction such as lecturing and reviewing different organizational charts, this activity gives students a fun competitive in-class activity in which they practice working as a part of contrasting organizational structures to see what type of structure they might thrive in. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teachers' competence in the English language and for the teaching the English language impact on learners' competence in the language. Effective teaching of the English language and appropriate transfer of communication skills to learners require teachers to be skilful and proficient users of the English language. This paper sought to explore the English competence teachers exhibit when teaching English First Additional Language. An exploratory qualitative approach using the phenomenological research design was adopted. The population for this paper was all Foundation Phase teachers within Vhembe East and Vhembe West Districts. A purposive sample of 15 Grade 3 teachers was drawn from five primary schools. Data was collected through classroom observation and individual face-to-face interviews. Data was categorised, analysed, and interpreted. The findings revealed that some teachers lacked strategies to compensate for breakdowns in communication when using the English language due to insufficient grammatical competence. As a result, they used home language to explain new vocabulary. The paper recommends that the Department of Basic Education provides teacher support through workshops, seminars, in-service trainings, and other online webinars to promote continuous professional teachers' development (CPTD) to encourage teachers' consistent and effective use of the English Language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article, titled "Striking a comfortable balance in the act of modern language teaching and learning," discusses the importance of finding a balance in language education to ensure successful learning and teaching. The papers in the journal focus on various aspects of the teaching and learning process, with the goal of improving outcomes for both teachers and learners. The article highlights the need to strike a balance between the exclusive use of the target language and the inclusion of plurilingualism and multiculturality in language education. It also emphasizes the importance of learners finding a balance between their own culture and the culture of the language they are learning. The article provides a review of research articles in the issue, covering topics such as shared leadership strategies, group work and translanguaging, lexical bundles in academic writing, and the use of dynamic assessment in academic writing courses. The authors conclude by expressing their hope that the journal will inspire curiosity, creativity, and innovation in language education. [Extracted from the article]

This paper explores citizens' views regarding the application of participatory communication in the delivery of development services within the decentralised government system of Ghana. The participatory theory informed the core issues of this study. Data were obtained from 309 inhabitants selected from three administrative areas in the Central Region using the quota sampling technique. Questionnaires and researcher-administered survey were used to gather data and analysed using means, standard deviations, Kruskal Wallis test, independent samples t-test, and one-way ANOVA. The study revealed that issues of empowerment were moderately applied in development services. Again, people-centred approaches to the delivery of development services were lowly considered. Overall, participatory communication principles have not received adequate attention during the delivery of development services. The situation was the same across the three-tier decentralised government system. Despite their educational differences, respondents expressed similar opinions on the application of participatory development principles. Participatory communication faced challenges like the absence of well-trained development communicators, inadequate resources, low motivation on the part of local representatives, a low sense of ownership, and an absence of clear institutional policies on communication. The paper outlines key practical implications of the findings, including the need for governments to set up the necessary institutional framework to aid the incorporation of participatory communication techniques into the development strategies of Assemblies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to identify high‐impact papers on global nursing to determine and analyse the publication of articles on core competencies in nursing‐related journals and the research trends in the era of globalization. Background: Bibliometrics has been shown to be an effective method for analysing publications. Through bibliometrics, nursing managers and researchers can understand the trends of high‐impact international nursing core competencies research, identify mainstream research directions and obtain relevant knowledge and information, thereby facilitating the translation of research outcomes into nursing management practice. Evaluation: The study adopted bibliometric analysis and the VOSviewer software to explore dynamic publication trends and analyse the current situation of nursing research from a comprehensive development perspective, which was realized by searching for nursing core competencies papers in the Web of Science (WoS) database, calculating citations and determining the trends of the most influential papers. Key issues: Nursing core competencies research grew rapidly between 1997 and 2022. Countries with the most core competencies publications were the United States, England, Australia and Canada. The Journal of Nursing Management has attracted substantial attention from researchers worldwide. Education, Management and Nurses were the most frequently used keywords in the study. A total of 534 papers were retrieved from the WoS database with the main research fields, including nursing, business economics, public environmental occupational health and health care science services. Conclusion: Equipping nursing graduates with core competencies has always been an important goal of global medical and nursing education. This study analysed papers across 35 years, most of which were published in the Journal of Nursing Management. In addition, the study identified some of the main research topics of nursing management, such as the integration of education with nursing management and the cultivation of nurses' core competencies. The study also provides a fresh review of highly cited articles. The results of the study show that high‐quality articles play the role of improving both the quality and the quantity of related research. By analysing the trends of the research on core competencies, this study lays a bibliometric foundation for researchers regarding international journals, hot topics and relevant fields. In addition, the highly cited articles reveal new perspectives for the nursing field, providing inspiration for nursing management and education researchers. Implications for Nursing Management: This study provides scholars and managers with an overview of the current situation of nursing management research and the development of benchmark journals. The study provides researchers not only with a better understanding of various international journals, allowing them to transition out of traditional thinking in the era of science and technology, but also with innovative thinking by combining research with nursing management. The results of this study invite nursing managers to study relevant topics of core competencies and integrate information technology to education, management and nurses, thereby contributing to nursing management and educational research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic writing often poses considerable difficulties that have to do with the way academic writing courses are conceived and the skills students are taught within this context. Especially students in foreign language studies deal with additional difficulties that are related to their self-perception as scholars, to their somewhat limited experience within the academic environment and to expressing logical/epistemic thinking in the foreign language. The aim of the study presented in this paper is to explore the nature of academic writing as a sociolinguistic practice. Research questions are: how do (a) the lack of sociolinguistic lived experience within academia, (b) the discrepancies between first and foreign language, (c) the absence of the core skills of grammar, logic and rhetoric influence academic writing? Participants in the study attended an academic writing workshop. Data was gathered using Contextual Inquiry by means of observation grids and semi-structured interviews. Results show that (a) even high-achieving students exhibit feelings of incompetence when it comes to academic writing, (b) the material of academic writing courses should include logical/epistemic thinking tasks, based on the training of core skills, (c) achievement in academic writing correlates with a sense of scholarship, (d) a distinction between social communicative and academic communicative language might be helpful. Academic writing courses should take existential, declarative as well as linguistic knowledge into consideration. The study concludes that it is advisable to integrate logical and epistemic thinking training into academic writing courses, broadening their scope. Alternatively, introducing a separate logical and epistemic thinking course would be more advantageous. This approach is preferable because logical and epistemic thinking extends beyond writing (such as papers and theses) to encompass spoken communication (presentations) and reading (strategies for literature search and synthesis). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the use of remote online language assessments to evaluate discourse skills in both children and adults, highlighting their feasibility and effectiveness. Topics discussed include the comparison of remote and in-person testing methods, the impact of digital tools on data collection, and the benefits and challenges of using online platforms for eliciting narrative and conversational skills.

The formulation of the construct of communicative competence (CC) was the consequence of the perceived "inappropriateness" of the theory of linguistic competence and performance. To obtain a comprehensive understanding of second language (L2) CC, a systematic review of 85 studies was conducted to assess how empirical studies have defined and operationalized the construct in the context of L2 learning and assessment. Four main themes emerged from the papers: (1) beliefs and perceptions about CC, (2) expansion of CC, (3) mixed specifications of CC, and (4) tests and measures of CC and communicative language ability (CLA). The analysis of these themes foregrounded several significant findings. First, the construct of L2 CC was significantly more prevalent in the body of research compared to L2 CLA. Second, CC has been perceived as a multifarious construct that has been researched from varied perspectives. It was found that older studies were more consistent with traditional approaches to defining CC and CLA, while the construct shifted focus to technology and self-appraisals in more recent studies. Third, there is no consensus amongst the reviewed studies about tests and methods of operationalization of CC, suggesting that the evidence provided is sample-specific and non-replicable. Importantly, it was found that over the years, CC has undergone a gradual evolution. With the multimodal and intercultural turn, CC has branched into new concepts namely intercultural and multimodal communicative competencies. Pertaining to these concepts, new notions such as telecollaboration, digital literacies, and multiliteracies have emerged. CC has also been, for long, analogous to performance, proficiency, social rules of language use, rules of appropriateness, willingness to communicate, self-perceptions of CC, and the goal of being a native speaker, which can add to the confusion surrounding the construct. The implications of the present research synthesis are two-fold. It becomes imperative to adapt world language classrooms to the rising trend in intercultural and multimodal communicative competencies. In addition, further replicable investigations should focus on developing optimal methods of operationalization that are in line with the new contemporary theoretical frameworks of language in the age of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the linguistic phenomenon of code-switching (CS) in the bilingual Ethnic-Adyghe community in the Black Sea region of Turkey. Specifically, this paper aims to analyze the types of CS and the factors that influence CS in different situational conversations, with a focus on Ethnic Adyghe individuals. The study utilizes a qualitative research design, using a purposive sample type of 10 Ethnic Adyghe individuals living in Samsun, Turkey. This study favors the use of informal settings to gather data from various linguistic contexts and analyze the frequency of CS. The findings indicate that participants used intra-sentential CS the most (59.9%). One major reason for that was the lack of vocabulary in Adyghe, leading participants to switch to Turkish to fill the lexical gap and effectively communicate their thoughts. Moreover, a total of 14 factors were identified. These factors encompassed aspects such as proficiency, social norms, cultural identity, vocabulary limitations, and communication effectiveness. The identification of these factors contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics of code-switching within the bilingual Ethnic-Adyghe community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

English nowadays can no longer be related solely to Standard English and an Anglo-centred standpoint, but it needs to be understood from a wider perspective, one that takes into account World Englishes varieties and its use as a lingua franca (ELF). Indeed, English has developed into one of the most widespread means of communication in contexts where speakers do not always share the same linguistic and cultural background and need to coconstruct mutual understanding. In order for students to effectively and appropriately use English in today globalised world, they need to be prepared to a wide range of English practices and to be able to interact in diverse and complex communicative contexts. The development of students' ELF communicative skills entails the need to adopt and devise materials that provide a more complex conceptualisation of English, including how communication strategies represent important resources to reach mutual understanding in ELF intercultural communication. Adopting an ELF-aware pedagogical perspective, this paper aims at presenting and discussing some guidelines that could help teachers develop their own ELF-aware materials, especially focusing on the use of communication strategies and meaning negotiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contributing to existing studies on global circuits of knowledge and labour, this paper presents a case study of Andy – a Chinese doctoral student in the UK – and looks at his transition from higher education to later joining the labour market after returning to China through the lens of personality traits. It draws upon literature on language socialisation and sociolinguistic studies of mobility, focusing on how social actors navigate transnational higher education and the consequences on professional development in a neoliberalising market economy. It aims to investigate how (in)appropriate personhood – as manifested in recurrent personality attributes – is enacted and negotiated in specific learning contexts in Andy's trajectory and the impact on employability, with various types of data consisting of participant observation, interviews, and relevant materials. The analysis suggests that Andy has been trained to engage communicatively with academic tasks in higher education settings. However, Andy considers himself lacking certain personality variables that could align with the criteria of a "good doctoral student" depicted by the institutions, such as being independent, motivated, and self-disciplined. Andy gradually shows disorientation in an academic career, albeit finding his inadequacy to perform the desired professional personhood in a labour market that values working experience and communication skills over education certification. This process explains why sometimes the expected communicative repertories and training acquired in higher education are not transferable into valuable resources that Andy can mobilise to become employed. This paper argues that neoliberal rationality has stratifying effects on individuals primarily due to an emphasis on self-responsibility and constant improvements. In transnational higher education, certain personality traits are considered desirable and lacking such characteristics can have side effects on mobile actors like Andy, who navigate the globalising labour market through uncertainty and precarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to discuss the application of the listening comprehension activities in Kosovo schools, grades VI-VII. Listening comprehension is a very important skill in the process of learning a foreign language, and it should be integrated and put in practice along with other skills, so that the students get a better and easier acquisition of a language. Developing only writing and reading skills in a language is not enough, because listening and speaking skills are the ones that matter when we communicate in the real world situations. That is why it is important to treat and practice all four of them with the same consideration while teaching a foreign language, in order to prepare students for a fluent communication in everyday situations. In my experience as an English language lecturer, I have noticed that many students that have excellent reading and writing skills have unsatisfactory listening skills. This is due to insufficient inclusion and application of the listening comprehension activities in the classroom, especially in the early stages of their education, which is a crucial period for development and enhancement of all communication skills simultaneously. In order to have a better view of my hypothesis, I have chosen five lower secondary schools in Gjilan and Deçan Municipalities, because at this level of schooling students should be exposed more intensively to the listening activities, as younger stages are taught basics of English mainly through pictures, drawings and songs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the academic writing experience amongst international psychology PhD students at a South African public university. The paper also discusses the challenges of academic writing and the support structures of academic writing. Sixteen (16) international students studying at PhD level in psychology were selected by purposive sampling from a public South African university in KwaZulu-Natal. Drawing from generated by iproposalss, findings suggest that participants experienced academic writing challenges in drafting PhD proposal, supervisor's feedback and plagiarism. Academic writing challenges were aggravated for international PhD students from non-native English-speaking countries. Findings also suggest that university support structures such as academic writing retreats improved the academic writing of participants and exposed them to the rigors of academic writing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harmful sexual behaviour that occurs between siblings (HSB-S) is thought to be one of the most common forms of intrafamilial abuse. Despite an increase in academic papers, and acknowledgement of the prevalence of the problem, there is still a lack of specific assessment and intervention models. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview on the Assessment, Intervention and Moving On (AIM) HSB-S Practice Guidance. The framework draws on the literature and evidence-based models, as well as clinical practice illustrated by the four-case series summarised. Of the four-case series illustrated in the paper positive outcomes were observed. In addition, the intervention includes the practitioner guiding the family to write a structured narrative which supports them to restore family relationships and find a way of moving forward. This guidance will strengthen practitioner's skills and confidence in working with families impacted by HSB-S and provide hope for them that they can heal from this crisis. This paper provides a preview for the AIM HSB-S Practice Guidance illustrated by a case series. The framework will provide practitioners with a clear approach to assessment and intervention when working with families impacted by HSB-S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Chinese language teaching in an engineering department as an example, this paper explores how language teaching can meet the challenges of globalisation and the advancement of technology by fulfilling its educational function as described in Byram's model of intercultural communicative competence. By adapting theories and practices from counselling psychology, the proposed curriculum focuses on emotions to help learners uncover emotional barriers that arise when confronted with differences. It will support learners in raising awareness and developing their capacity to negotiate differences, leading to more effective cooperation with others. The paper discusses the use of experiential exercises in the classroom. They include those developed in Chinese language pedagogy, namely the performed culture approach and those developed in humanistic psychotherapy, such as body psychotherapy. The aim is to help learners notice their own feelings, attitudes, and behaviour as well as the otherness of the other in the classroom. This approach is powerful because it is in the here and now. It utilises movements and different senses as well as cognition. It helps uncover barriers to intercultural communication hidden under the surface by making the unconscious conscious. Reflection is a key part of this process. Learners are expected to reflect on their own thinking and feelings and to make sense of the dynamics in the classroom. Learners are expected to develop reflexivity, subjectivity and intersubjective awareness while acquiring linguistic competency and social cultural rules of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The specification of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses to develop target level communicative competence has been the dire needs of any professional and technical education programmes today. As ESP courses need to be redesigned to the changing requirements of academics and industry, this paper attempts to propose a framework that could satisfy the objectives of learners and their specific purpose of learning. In this paper, the macro inquiries of why, what, and how of the specific purpose of language learning is discussed to plan the aim, objectives, and goals of a needs-based course. As contextual analysis is very much perpetual for designing an ESP course, this paper envisages the importance of conducting needs and demands analysis to understand and articulate the present and the target situation needs of the learner. With this pursuit, a theoretical and practical framework for designing a learner and learning needs-based ESP syllabus has been advocated with the specifications of integrated, interrelated, and interdependent components of product and process design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to present the current state, problems, challenges and opportunities of Hungarian native language education. It does so as a tribute to the memory and oeuvre of László Kálmán, who passed away in 2021, and as a way of preserving his approach characterized by a critical approach, but also by a focus on possible solutions. On the one hand, the study outlines the goals and tasks of native language education, including language teaching, drawing heavily on the concept of communicative competence as defined and represented by László Kálmán (see e.g. Kálmán 2010; Kálmán & Molnár 2009). On the other hand, the current state of native language education is described in the light of this framework. In addition to the current regulation of the content of native language education, the study will also describe the current situation with regard to the available teaching aids and textbooks. In this context, and partly independently of it, the paper will examine the question of what major areas of native language education need to be changed and what opportunities are available in this respect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the focus is on oral participation during lectures. Oral participation refers to the active engagement of learners in the lecture by speaking, asking, giving comments, and participating in pair or group discussions. The students are supposed to participate and practice the language to improve their speaking skills. The main question in this study is: Why students do not speak and engage during lectures? Hence, the aim of the paper is to find out the factors that affect their performance. In this study, the researcher examined the main reason behind the lack of participation of English Foreign Language students in the English department at Cihan University-Erbil to find solutions for improving their speaking skills. A questionnaire was prepared based on the most common reasons affecting class engagement and it was divided into four sections: Personal factors, the role of the teacher, environmental factors, and linguistic factors. The participants were students at the English department at Cihan University-Erbil. After conducting the questionnaire, the researcher had an interview with the students and their teachers. The results showed that there are many reasons and factors that hinder learners from speaking and turn them into passive listeners. The personal factors and the effect of the teachers were the most prominent factors that had an impact on the learner's performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Djoussour El-maarefa is the property of Association of Arab Universities and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Scientists have a responsibility to engage with and inform the public about new challenges and discoveries that impact the health of society. However, most scientists do not have formal training in how to communicate scientific information to nonscientists. In this paper, I describe how the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology at Michigan Technological University incorporated science communication into its undergraduate and graduate curriculum. I also discuss the impact, benefits, and lessons learned from this initiative. My hope is that this paper will inspire other kinesiology programs to provide distinct opportunities for their students to develop science communication skills so that they can better connect with the public and world around them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Methods Results Conclusion WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS What is already known on this subject What this paper adds to existing knowledge What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Collaborative approaches in speech‐language pathology (SLP) aim to integrate the experience of clients and people important to them by including these stakeholders actively in decision making. This inclusion can lead to more effective, engaging, and safer SLP practice. A variety of collaborative approaches have evolved in response to sociocultural contexts, and as a result, there are many different approaches currently in use such as co‐design, co‐production, and co‐creation. However, despite widening acceptance and utilisation of collaborative approaches, the use and evidence for these in SLP literature have not been considered collectively. The current study aims to explore how collaborative approaches, used to develop products or services in SLP, are reported in literature.Using narrative review methodology, a systematic search of three databases and hand searching were conducted to explore how collaborative approaches, used to develop products or services, are reported in SLP. Search terms reflected the breadth of collaborative approaches and the diverse nature of SLP across clinical practice. Following screening of initial data, 59 articles were identified for data extraction and narrative synthesis. An internationally recognised reporting checklist for stakeholder involvement called the Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public, Version 2 (GRIPP2), informed the reviewing process in addition to qualitative description.Collaborative approaches across SLP practice were found to be diverse as were the terminology and tools used for collaboration. Two‐thirds of the studies were published after 2020. The timing and involvement of stakeholders in collaborative approaches varied greatly; however, most stakeholder involvement was found in the conducting of research activities, compared to other areas such as planning, analysis, and reporting. The GRIPP2 review indicated strengths and opportunities in reporting of stakeholder involvement. When stakeholder involvement was rigorously reported it could include reflection on how stakeholders contributed within their communication abilities and how this contribution benefited the study.Collaborative approaches reported in SLP focused on valuing and respecting people with living experience of communication and swallowing difficulties. This narrative review contributes to the resources available to support decision‐making and working together with stakeholders, encouraging SLPs to reflect, consider the context and respond. Future research could continue to strengthen consistency in terminology for collaborative approaches, use frameworks to plan and report stakeholder involvement and carefully consider involvement across the research continuum. There is an expectation that health services include stakeholders in development and evaluation of services. Collaborative approaches in speech‐language pathology (SLP) aim to integrate the lived experience of people with communication and swallowing difficulties and those important to them. These approaches, including but not limited to, co‐design, co‐production and participatory action research, have shared philosophies of being community‐driven, strengths based and inclusive (Loeffler & Bovaird, 2021). This study contributes information about current SLP practice when collaborative approaches have been employed to develop a product or service. The study maps diverse collaborative approaches and their frequency in the literature, as well as the various stakeholders involved, using the Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public, Version 2 (GRIPP2) checklists to guide the review of reporting stakeholder involvement. This synthesis of literature supports researchers and clinicians in making intentional decisions in implementation and reporting of collaborative approaches. This decision‐making can strengthen the implementation of collaborative approaches, which has implications for person‐centred care in SLP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper reports the results from a feasibility trial of an early parent-delivered social communication intervention for young children with Down syndrome ('ASCEND'). The intervention focuses on developing children's early social communication skills, in particular responding to shared attention. The aim was to inform the feasibility of running a full-scale trial through National Health Service (NHS) Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) services, to assess whether the intervention is effective in improving language skills before children with Down syndrome start school. Methods: This was a two-arm feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT), with 1:1 randomisation stratified by trial site, comparing the intervention plus standard NHS SaLT provision with standard NHS SaLT alone. We recruited 20 children with Down syndrome aged between 11 and 36 months through 3 NHS SaLT services, 19 of whom were randomised (10 — intervention group, 9 —control group). Pre- and post-intervention and 6-month follow-up assessments included language, social communication skills, adaptive behaviour, quality of life (parents and children), parental anxiety and depression. The intervention was parent delivered with parents having access to SaLT services and the research team during the intervention. Data were collected on recruitment and retention, standard care, treatment fidelity, acceptability of the intervention by the parents and speech and language therapists, feasibility of collecting health economic measures and suitability of the primary outcome measure. Results: The sample was sufficient for a feasibility study. The intervention (manual, support, materials) was positively received by the participating parents. Speech and language therapists also evaluated the acceptability of the intervention positively. Treatment fidelity which was measured by completion of weekly parent diaries and two adherence phone call was acceptable as 100% of the parent diaries were returned, over 90% of the parental diaries were completed correctly and 100% of adherence phone calls were completed. Retention was acceptable at 84% overall. The preliminary health economic data suggest that this intervention will be low cost. The sample size calculation suggests that 290 participants would need to be recruited, with 228 having a complete data set, for a full RCT. Conclusion: Based on recruitment, retention and treatment fidelity, as well as the acceptability of the intervention to parents and speech and language therapists, a full-scale trial would be feasible in order to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. Trial registration: ISRCTN13902755, registered on 25th August 2020, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN13902755 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Contemporary Educational Studies / Sodobna Pedagogika is the property of Association of Slovenian Educationalists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background/Objectives: The prevalence of the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been increasing globally, necessitating updates to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders with respect to ASD diagnosis. It is now recognised that ASD is related to sensory processing disorder, and sensory integration is considered a suitable intervention for treating children diagnosed with ASD. Methods: This paper provides a systematic review on a timeline from 2013 to 2023, based on the PRISMA model. Evidence was sought in the academic search engines Pubmed, Scielo, Eric, Dialnet, Springer, Base Search and Google Scholar, which produced 16 articles according to the inclusion criteria. Results: According to the results of this review, intervention with sensory integration in infants with ASD meets the criteria to be considered an evidence-based practice. The studies reviewed focused mainly on clinical settings and, therefore, we highlight the urgent need for further research to evaluate the effectiveness of sensory integration interventions in naturalistic settings such as homes and schools. Conclusions: This will help to obtain more representative data on how these interventions affect the daily lives of children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant proportion of primary care consultations now happen remotely. Although the vast majority occur safely, a recent study highlighted areas of risk which may be compounded by the limited training many GPs have received in remote consulting. To provide safe remote services, consideration needs to be given to adapting practice workflow to optimise remote care. Patients less suitable for remote consulting, either due to disease, extremes of age, disability or for social reasons should be identified and prioritised for face-to-face encounters. Training supports both the development of individual communication skills for remote care, and effective team working. Practice-based group learning events can be used to share experiences, identify resources, and consider the risks in remote care and how they can be mitigated. The paper presents some fictionalised cases, illustrating where patients came to harm, as a result of a remote consultation, and where harm was averted due to actions taken by practice teams. These can be used to support critical thinking and discussion within practice development meetings and tutorials with trainee GPs and other practice staff. Using the paper as a basis for reflection, teaching and action can facilitate the delivery of safer remote care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transport planning as a formalised profession is relatively young and there is no doubt it has evolved over time. In Europe, Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans reflect a change in emphasis from keeping traffic moving to place-based, people-centric planning. Three new developments of significance present themselves to contemporary transport planning: the collision and merging of the digital age with the motor age; a widespread sense of deep (and possibly deepening) uncertainty about the future; and the imperative to address the climate emergency and decarbonise transport. Taken together, such developments are reflected in the recent notion of Triple Access Planning which sits within a so-called 'decide and provide' paradigm – contrasted with traditional transport planning within the 'predict and provide' paradigm. The world is changing significantly with a strong sense that transport planning needs to change accordingly. This paper draws upon the '7 Questions Interview' technique to explore with 23 practitioners in the UK their experience of transport planning practice over time, their hopes and fears for its future and what could be achieved, and their views on enablers of, and barriers to, positive change. The interviews reveal a strong sense that transport planning can face a Sisyphean (seemingly impossible) task of advocating measures that could push towards realisation of economic, social and environmental aspirations, only to find progress with measure approval and implementation thwarted by perennial challenges including lack of political will and public buy-in. While the three new developments mentioned represent potential catalysts for significant change, such change relies on multiple other factors. These include collaborative cross-sector working, a long-term perspective, appropriate funding and political agency, and enhanced communication skills to win hearts and minds. The paper concludes that Sisyphus may continue to struggle to push the transport planning boulder to the top of the hill; unless perhaps Hercules can lend a hand. • Transport planning is evolving in the face of changing circumstances in society. • There is a degree of consensus among transport practitioners on goals and obstacles. • The digital age, climate emergency and deep uncertainty may be catalysts for change. • Effectiveness of transport planning rests in the hands of the public and politicians. • The profession faces a sobering outlook that may be akin to the plight of Sisyphus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To identify the influence of teamwork, communication skills, and structural empowerment on providing patient‐centered care among nurses in Eswatini. Design: A quantitative, cross‐sectional survey was used. Methods: This survey conducted in Eswatini selected registered nurses working as full‐time nurses with more than 3 months of working experience using convenience sampling. Different measures were adopted and used to collect data among 130 eligible nurses from February to March 2022. Data were analyzed using Statistical Program for Social Sciences version 26.0. Results: A total of 123 nurses responded in the study and the mean age was 31.05 years with a standard deviation of 5.49. The overall response rate was 94.6% in this study. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that teamwork (β = 0.236, p < 0.05) and communication skills (β = 0.328, p < 0.05) were significant predictors of the provision of patient‐centered care among nurses. Conclusion: Team‐building exercises and management interventions to empower nurses should be established to improve the provision of patient‐centered care among nurses. Nurses should be empowered to provide patient‐centered care in health facilities by encouraging them to provide their input in management procedures and planning programs. Impact: Clinical practice requires nurses to use effective communication skills and work as a team. Nursing care established on teamwork, respect, empathy, and communication skills allows patients to express their concerns and views in health facilities as they feel involved in care. Patient or public contribution: No patient or public contribution in this paper. This study only involved registered nurses as health professionals. Summary Statement: What is already known? : Patient‐centered care gives patients the chance to participate actively in discussions and consultations.Patient‐centered care requires nurses to work as a team, use effective communication skills, and feel empowered during the execution of their work.Nurses who are empowered are less likely to make medical errors, and collaborative nurses provide better patient‐centered care. What does this paper add? : Highlights that teamwork and communication skills influence nurses' ability to provide patient‐centered care.Add to the growing evidence‐based support that there is a need for teamwork and communication education programs for registered nurses in the workplace.Empowering nurses to participate in management processes and program planning will enable them to deliver patient‐centered care in healthcare facilities. Implications for practice/policy : Education programs focusing on teamwork and communication skills should be provided to nurses working in the clinical setting to enhance the quality of patient care and improve collaboration.All hospitals should adopt a tailored intervention designed to enhance the delivery of patient‐centered care to raise the standard of care.It is imperative that nurses prioritize the development of their teamwork, respect, empathy, and communication skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This systematic review aims to identify the elements of doctor-patient communication in telemedicine, emerging challenges, and proposed recommendations. Four databases, including Science Direct, PubMed, Cochrane, and ProQuest, were searched using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The inclusion criteria consisted of original research papers, availability of free full text, and publications during the past 10 years. A total of 13 articles completed the selection process and satisfied the established criteria. The issues and recommendations of telemedicine communication were categorized into three distinct groups: pre-consultation, during-consultation, and post-consultation. Preparation encompasses the arranging of visual elements, safeguarding patient privacy and confidentiality, and addressing any technical challenges that may arise. The consultation encompasses nonverbal behavior, empathy, the doctor-patient connection, and a physical examination. Post-telemedicine consultations refer to medical appointments that occur after a telemedicine session, typically involving follow-up medical interactions. Telemedicine presents unique challenges in doctor-patient consultations that differ from face-to-face interactions. Therefore, clinicians must acquire communication skills specific to telemedicine to ensure effective consultations and achieve optimal health results [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classroom, speaking is a relatively marginalised learning activity, often employed merely to facilitate transition between activities which prioritise communication skills deemed more important. A significant consequence of this privation is limited practice in situated discourse. This paper presents a theorised account of an instance of situated discourse: Quality Talk in a reading circle within an EAP classroom. With reference to a single dialogic spell unfolding around a specific issue, I examine participants' verbal transactions and the ways in which these enhance high-level comprehension of text. Overall, this account seeks to highlight the efficacy and affordances of situated discourse as a social mode of cognition in EAP instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Humanitas: International Journal of Social Sciences / Uluslararasi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi is the property of Humanitas: International Journal of Social Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) involves international online activities that allow the support of transversal competencies in diverse and multicultural environments without moving from home. This paper presents the learning experiences and satisfaction of undergraduate nursing students at the University of Girona (Spain) from a COIL activity involving clinical simulation in collaboration with the University of Coventry (United Kingdom). Methods: Qualitative study of content analysis. Twelve students from each of the two universities participated in the data collection process using reflective diaries. Results: The data analysis highlighted five topics related to the COIL activity involving clinical simulation: (a) initial attitudes towards the COIL activity; (b) main learning through the COIL activity; (c) positive aspects of the COIL activity; (d) weaknesses of the COIL activity and proposals for improvement; and (e) overall evaluation of the COIL activity. Conclusions: The main learning outcomes referred to by students were the relationships between transversal competencies and the skills for life, language skills, cultural skills, and more specific skills related to clinical standards. The students were most satisfied with the teaching activities and specified positive aspects and weaknesses that will add value to future versions of the activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As global migration increases, nurse managers' effectiveness in multi-cultural nursing work environments is crucial due to the rising cultural diversity within healthcare teams. Despite the increasing international recruitment of qualified nurses to address the worldwide nursing shortage, no studies have synthesised the impact of nurse managers' attributes on nurses in multi-cultural nursing teams. Therefore, it was conducted a literature review aimed to synthesise the available literature on how nurse managers' personality traits, competencies, behaviours, and leadership styles influence nurse outcomes in multi-cultural nursing teams. Methods: Scoping review conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines to map the relationship or influence of nurse managers' personality traits, competencies, behaviours, and leadership styles on the outcomes of nurses in multi-cultural settings across various clinical environments. Searches were conducted across electronic databases such as CINAHL and MEDLINE, along with grey literature. Results: This review included 39 studies, highlighting 29 personality traits, 9 competencies, 115 behaviours, and 5 leadership styles that impact nurses' outcomes. Key findings emphasise the importance of nurse managers being supportive, culturally competent, and effective communicators, with transformational leadership style being particularly beneficial. Conclusions: These findings provide insights for planning and developing training programmes to equip current and future nurse managers with skills to effectively lead in multi-cultural care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric rehabilitation is fundamentally different from that of adults. Child physiology differs significantly from that of adults, necessitating specialized rehabilitation approaches. Unique injuries and varying metabolic rates underscore the need for tailored care, which changes over the years as the child grows and develops. Waiserberg's paper, "When Everyone is Responsible, No One Takes Responsibility": Exploring Pediatric Physiotherapy Services in Israel," sheds light on a critical issue. While senior practitioners oversee policy implementation and service delivery, practical physiotherapy treatment lacks continuous monitoring. This is a critical issue. Ideally, every child who requires long-term clinical therapeutic interventions to keep up with peers in mobility, communication and cognitive skills should be assessed by specialists several times throughout the school years, and their personalized rehabilitation plan discussed, reviewed, and adjusted according to their progress. The absence of a standardized protocol for overseeing and directing comprehensive rehabilitation plans leaves therapists feeling alone and adrift, whether working in schools or medical settings. Such an assessment would be an opportunity to create a registry, which is currently nonexistent. The collected data would be a priceless resource in policy decision-making and service planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]