First language in the classroom: the forbidden fruit?

Tesis (Profesor de Inglés para la Enseñanza Básica y Media y al grado académico de Licenciado en Educación)Over the past years, the use of students’ first language (L1) in the classroom has been a highly discussed topic in the EFL classroom as well as in the field of second language (L2) teaching/learning research. There is a tendency that advocates communicative language teaching which suggests that L1 use should forbidden in the classroom. However, research has yet to discover whether L1 use has a positive or negative impact on L2 learning. Hence, the present study aimed to examine L1 functions and the impact of L1 use on L2 development. The present study was conducted in a private school in Santiago, Chile. The participants of this study (N = 34) were engaged in two collaborative writing tasks about the book they were reading in their English literature classes, and their discussions were audio-recorded and later analyzed. A quasi-experimental method was utilized in order to observe the influence that group work had on their L2 vocabulary development. The results demonstrated that the students’ L1 played a major role in their interaction while together working on the collaborative tasks, and it served for the development of L2 vocabulary. Specifically, the results suggest that the way in which individual learners contributed to interaction affected their learning outcomes.En los últimos años, el uso de la primera lengua de los estudiantes ha sido un tema altamente discutido en las salas de clases y en la investigación de la enseñanza de inglés como Lengua Extranjera. Existe una tendencia general de prohibir el uso de la primera lengua, sin embargo, aún existen vacíos sobre la influencia positiva o negativa que esta podría tener en el aprendizaje de vocabulario. El presente estudio se realizó en una escuela privada en Santiago, Chile. El propósito del mismo fue observar las funciones que cumplía la lengua nativa en la interacción de los estudiantes y cómo esto afectaba al desarrollo de la segunda lengua en alumnos de octavo básico con alto nivel de inglés. Los participantes de este estudio fueron involucrados en dos actividades de escritura colaborativa sobre el libro que estaban leyendo en las clases de literatura inglesa, donde sus discusiones fueron grabadas en audio y luego analizadas. Se utilizó un método cuasi experimental para observar la influencia que tuvieron sus discusiones grupales –utilizando su primera lengua—en el desarrollo del vocabulario en la segunda lengua. Se aplicaron evaluaciones pre y post con el fin de tener un registro del desarrollo del vocabulario de los estudiantes y las funciones que la lengua materna cumplió fueron codificadas como sugirieron DiCamilla y Antón (2012). Los resultados demostraron que la lengua materna de los estudiantes jugó un rol mayor en su interacción mientras desarrollaban en conjunto actividades colaboración, y sirvió para el desarrollo del vocabulario de la segunda lengua. Más aun, los resultados sugieren que la forma en la que alumnos contribuyeron individualmente en las discusiones afectó los resultados en sus aprendizajes

The Meeting from Heart to Heart: The Essence of Transformative

What can be said about that which, at rock-bottom, is most fundamental in a contact that transforms us? Whether in psychotherapy, in a long-term relationship or in a spontaneous moment shared suddenly and unexpectedly with a stranger? What is more primary than theory and technique, rules or guidelines, in meeting the other and seeking a contact that fosters a shifting in boundaries that brings with it the possibility of being receptive to a more direct experiencing of life and others simply as they are? Even when this brings with it, inevitably, a more direct confrontation with and acknowledgment of pain and frustration, and the disappointments and difficulties that are inherent in this change. Even when this means bearing what seems utterly unbearable. Perhaps the answer, as simple as it is difficult to grasp or allow in its simplicity, is love. Drawing from the process of a long-term therapy, the novel The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Marbery (2008), the work of Martin Buber as well as of philosopher and psychologist Eugene Gendlin, this article seeks to articulate the centrality of love in the moments of our life that transform.Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology, Volume 12, Special Edition July 201

Paraguay: connectivity indicators and social development

In 2020, Paraguay’s National Connectivity Report was prepared as part of the United Nations Development Account project “Sustainable transport connectivity and implementation of transport-related SDGs in selected landlocked and transit/bridging countries”. The report contains 161 indicators that assess rail, road, and inland waterway transport in Paraguay, concerning areas such as the regulatory and administrative framework for border crossings, quality of transport infrastructure, quality of regulations on transport of dangerous goods and perishable foodstuffs, and efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other atmospheric pollutants, and noise emissions. This document updates the indicators and extends their reach by including a new section on social development. In the current context, given the challenges the world is facing, it is crucial to consider the International Labour Organization (ILO) Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) as well as gender equality, climate change, and improved national statistical systems when developing the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2014–2024. National Connectivity Reports are an excellent tool for landlocked developing countries to voluntarily evaluate and report progress implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Vienna Programme of Action.Introduction .-- I. Sustainable inland transport connectivity indicators (SITCIN) methodology .-- II. Data collection process .-- III. Country information .-- IV. Key findings by group of indicators .-- V. Paraguay’s overall score .-- VI. SWOT analysis .-- VII. Social development considerations outside the scope of SITCIN’s connectivity indicators .-- VIII. Conclusion .-- IX. Recommendations

Race and Anomie: A Comparison of Crime Among Rural Whites and Urban Blacks Based on Social Structural Conditions.

This study examined the relationship between social structures and crime among rural white and urban black males in North Carolina through the theoretical framework of Merton\u27s Anomie. Using demographic information on the state\u27s inmate population provided by the North Carolina Department of Corrections, the subjects\u27 individual characteristics were studied alongside community level conditions to establish whether anomic conditions did coincide with specific types of crimes and whether individuals from each group would commit the same types of crimes. The study population came from the rural counties of Graham, Alleghany, Swain, and Mitchell and the urban communities within Charlotte of Mecklenburg County. Univariate and Bivariate analysis were used to establish the significance and strength of any relationships between the variables. The findings indicated that while the category of offense was different for each group, the implied intent was the same. Both committed crimes that would benefit them in a pecuniary manner

Shade or light? : size class distribution and δ¹³C values as clues to the recruiting environment of Widdringtonia whytei

In order to determine the recruitment environment of the endangered Mulanje Cedar, Widdringtonia whytei, size class distributions were measured for six populations on Mount Mulanje, Malawi. Carbon isotope ratios were also collected from leaf tissue in trees of varying height in order to determine the effects of positioning within or below the canopy. Carbon isotope ratios were also taken from wood cores and the δ¹³Cvalues for the innermost and outermost wood were compared for two sites. Size class :frequency distributions had a tendency to be normally distributed but one site showed skewed values towards seedling and another showed a flat distribution, possibly due to continual logging of the trees. Height correlated well with leaf δ¹³Cvalues. Sombani and Bvunje showed the same current (outer wood) δ¹³Cvalues but different recruitment (inner wood) δ¹³Cvalues. Results indicate that Bvunje trees recruited in the shade and Sombani recruited in the sunlight. There is ambiguity in both size class data and carbon isotope data and therefore either Widdringtonia whytei is able to recruit in a variety of manners and environments or other factors are influencing the results

Upscaling Corporate Governance Principles for Performance of National Sports Federations in Kenya and Beyond

The sports industry in Kenya continues to grow swiftly and emerge as a vibrant and crowd-pulling phenomenon. However, few studies have been conducted on the critical topic of corporate governance principles and the performance of national sports federations. Thus, the research focused on determining the effect of corporate governance principles on National Sports Federations’ performance in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The objectives included evaluating the effects of transparency, accountability, sustainability, and integrity on National Sports Federations’ performance in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study variables were anchored in the Stewardship theory, Balanced Scorecard theory, and Stakeholder theory. The research utilized   both secondary and primary data. The research utilized a descriptive research design to collect data from a sample of 145 federation members: Head of National Team Coaches, Assistant National Team Coaches, and Technical Directors. Semi-structured questionnaires were utilized for data collection. Self-administered Questionnaires were utilized, employing the drop-off and later pick-up approach. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).  Quantitative data collected was analyzed using multiple regression, descriptive analysis, and Correlation analysis. The study found that accountability, transparency, integrity, and sustainability have a significant positive relationship with the performance of national sports federations in Nairobi City County.  Further findings reveal that increased service delivery, customer feedback, employee satisfaction, and financial performance of national sports federations indicate performance. This study recommends the formation of clear corporate governance policies that raise sustainable development in the Kenya sporting sector, federation members to adopt continuous training on best practices of corporate governance, utilize digital platforms for governance practices, national and county government to establish measurable performance indicators to be adopted by national sports federations, consistent monitoring, and evaluation of these performance indicators. These recommendations will help both the national sports federations and the government to increase transparency, accountability, sustainability, and integrity in the sports industry in Kenya

Upscaling Corporate Governance Principles for Performance of National Sports Federations in Kenya and Beyond

The sports industry in Kenya continues to grow swiftly and emerge as a vibrant and crowd-pulling phenomenon. However, few studies have been conducted on the critical topic of corporate governance principles and the performance of national sports federations. Thus, the research focused on determining the effect of corporate governance principles on National Sports Federations’ performance in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The objectives included evaluating the effects of transparency, accountability, sustainability, and integrity on National Sports Federations’ performance in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study variables were anchored in the Stewardship theory, Balanced Scorecard theory, and Stakeholder theory. The research utilized   both secondary and primary data. The research utilized a descriptive research design to collect data from a sample of 145 federation members: Head of National Team Coaches, Assistant National Team Coaches, and Technical Directors. Semi-structured questionnaires were utilized for data collection. Self-administered Questionnaires were utilized, employing the drop-off and later pick-up approach. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).  Quantitative data collected was analyzed using multiple regression, descriptive analysis, and Correlation analysis. The study found that accountability, transparency, integrity, and sustainability have a significant positive relationship with the performance of national sports federations in Nairobi City County.  Further findings reveal that increased service delivery, customer feedback, employee satisfaction, and financial performance of national sports federations indicate performance. This study recommends the formation of clear corporate governance policies that raise sustainable development in the Kenya sporting sector, federation members to adopt continuous training on best practices of corporate governance, utilize digital platforms for governance practices, national and county government to establish measurable performance indicators to be adopted by national sports federations, consistent monitoring, and evaluation of these performance indicators. These recommendations will help both the national sports federations and the government to increase transparency, accountability, sustainability, and integrity in the sports industry in Kenya

A Goal Setting Intervention Positively Impacts Adolescents’ Dietary Behaviors and Physical Activity Self-Efficacy

The efficacy of a youth development intervention on improving eating and physical activity(PA) self-efficacy, goal attainment scaling, goal effort, and behaviors was examined in a repeated measures, quasi-experimental field trial. Ethnically diverse students (n=64) from a low-income middle school participated in the 10-session intervention driven by the Social Cognitive Theory with a Goal Setting Theory emphasis. Participants, 13-14 years old, made significant changes in dietary behaviors (P=0.03) and PA self-efficacy (P=0.02) after receiving the intervention. Self-efficacy did not mediate dietary behavior change but did mediate the small changes made in PA. Goal effort was not a mediator of behavior change. After the intervention, more participants rated themselves as making one lasting improvement in eating (