The effect of reading strategy use on online reading comprehension.

In the current age, digital technology is rapidly changing daily routines, and young people today spend most of their time using various digital tools. Therefore, traditional reading of the printed page is being transformed into digital reading of online texts among students. Thus, online reading strategies have become crucial for their development in online reading performance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of online reading strategies used by lower secondary students on reading comprehension achievement. It conducted an online survey of reading strategies, involving three types of reading strategies, global, problem-solving, and support. The study recruited 4527 students at the lower secondary school level in Hungary. The study examined the students' attitudes toward literature and grammar in their native language (L1), use of online reading strategies, reading comprehension skills, and language arts achievement as well as examining the relations between them with various methods of analysis (descriptive/inferential, Rasch and path analyses). The findings demonstrated that the students' problem-solving strategies (from among the three reading strategies) exerted significant and positive impacts on reading comprehension. Additionally, the students' attitudes toward L1 had a positively significant effect on their use of online reading strategies and language arts achievement and an indirect effect on reading comprehension skills. The study also found a significant relationship between language arts achievement and reading comprehension achievement. Therefore, this study is beneficial for language teachers in helping students improve reading comprehension skills.

Measurement invariance of the English reading motivational structure of bilingual and multilingual university students.

Self-related beliefs can influence language learning motivation. In turn, reading motivation can facilitate self-related beliefs in influencing English reading comprehension (ERC). Additionally, past language learning experience affects future language learning. Thus, this study examined the motivational structure in English reading of 1170 first-year students of 13 universities from nine Indonesian provinces (Mage = 19.3, SD = 0.85). Data were collected at one measurement point using the Motivation for Reading Questionnaire to measure reading self-efficacy, extrinsic motivation, and intrinsic motivation (IM); a four-item self-concept questionnaire; the English Reading Behavior Questionnaire, and an ERC. The study developed and evaluated two hypothesized models on the moderating role of past second language (L2) learning experience. The results of structural equation modeling corroborated the moderating influence of being bilingual and multilingual learners on the motivational variables, although not each of the expected paths fit the model. Among the variables, intrinsic motivation exerted the highest effect on the ERC of Indonesian university students. A difference analysis using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) on the motivational variables between the two groups demonstrated that multilingual groups outperformed the bilingual group in nearly all motivational variables. The results implied that categorizing students according to their previous learning experience with a foreign language can help teachers to prioritize their teaching to improve the reading comprehension achievement of students.

English as a foreign language learners' strategy awareness across proficiency levels from the perspective of self-regulated learning metafactors.

The previous three decades have seen a growing body of research into language learners' self-regulated learning (SRL), language learning strategy (LLS) use, and their possible effects on proficiency. This study thus provides insights into the relationship between elementary and low intermediate learners' perceptions of their self-regulated strategy use in English as a foreign language (EFL) and their attitude to English in relation to their proficiency level. Nine hundred and sixty-six higher proficiency students and 399 lower proficiency students in Year 8 participated in the research. A revised Self-Regulated Foreign Language Learning Strategy Questionnaire (SRFLLSQ), a version of Oxford's Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL), was completed by the participants. Our findings shed light on higher proficiency learners' significantly higher level of strategy use. Learners at higher levels relied more strongly on their metacognitive strategies, such as planning, organizing and monitoring their cognitive processes. Our analysis also showed a high correlation between the different factors of metastrategy use (metacognitive, meta-affective, metasocial, and metamotivational) and cognitive, affective, social, and motivational strategy use in relation to attitude and proficiency. A path analysis also reinforced our assumption that metafactors significantly determine learners' proficiency across strategy use and attitude in both higher and lower-level students. The positive contribution of the metastrategies on their corresponding regulated strategy fields appeared to be robust, thus underlining recent LLS research that emphasizes the role of metafactors in the language learning process.

Online Assessment and Game-Based Development of Inductive Reasoning.

The aims of the study were (1) to develop a domain-general computer-based assessment tool for inductive reasoning and to empirically test the theoretical models of Klauer and Christou and Papageorgiou; and (2) to develop an online game to foster inductive reasoning through mathematical content and to investigate its effectiveness. The sample was drawn from fifth-grade students for the assessment (N = 267) along with the intervention study (N = 122). The online figurative test consisted of 54 items: nine items were developed for each of the six inductive reasoning processes. The digital game-based training program included 120 learning tasks embedded in mathematical content with differential feedback and instructional support. The test had good psychometric properties regarding reliabilities, means, and standard deviations. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the six processes of inductive reasoning and the three latent factors of Similarity, Dissimilarity, and Integration could be empirically confirmed. The training program was effective in general (corrected effect size = .38); however, the process of cross-classification was not developed significantly. Findings could contribute to a more detailed understanding of the structure and the modifiability of inductive reasoning processes and could reveal further insights into the nature of fluid intelligence.

Investigating the Relationship Among English Language Learning Strategies, Language Achievement, and Attitude.

The main objective of the study was to ascertain whether English as a Foreign Language learners with various levels of English language achievement differ significantly in applying foreign language learning strategies. We also aimed to explore strategy use frequency in connection with attitude toward English language learning. Data were collected from 1,653 lower secondary students in Hungary through a revised version of the previously developed online Self-Regulated Foreign Language Learning Strategy Questionnaire (SRFLLSQ) based on Oxford's Strategic Self-Regulation (S2R) Model. The findings point to statistically significant differences in the frequency of English language strategy use among more and less proficient learners. Quantitative analyses also reported that, in spite of the students stated low or moderate levels of strategy use, it turned out as a statistically significant predictor of foreign language attitude and language achievement. The results draw attention to the relevance of strategy research in foreign language teaching as well as encourages strategy teaching within language instruction.

Exploring the Role of English as a Foreign Language Receptive Skills and Learning Strategy Usage in the Ability to Acquire and Apply Knowledge at the Beginning of Higher Education.

Foreign language learning plays a prominent role in the world today not only for communication across borders, but also for the potential benefits of other learning skills. The main objective of this research is to examine and explore the relationship between first-year full-time undergraduate students' (N = 1,257) English as a foreign language (EFL) reading and listening achievement and learning strategy preferences in relation to knowledge acquisition and knowledge application. Our results show that students achieved significantly better on listening tasks than on reading tasks and that their knowledge acquisition performance was higher than their knowledge application achievement. The majority of the participants reported that they usually or always employ learning strategies, with the most preferred strategy type being the control strategy. The structural model shows that language learning, and knowledge acquisition and application are strongly interrelated; moreover, the level of use of memorization and elaboration strategies directly affects both knowledge acquisition and application skills. This suggests that EFL learning significantly influences the development of knowledge acquisition and knowledge application, which are essential in a range of areas in education and society today.

Cross-cultural differences in foreign language learning strategy preferences among Hungarian, Chinese and Mongolian University students.

The present study explores English as a foreign language (EFL) learning strategies used in Hungarian, Chinese, and Mongolian university students with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. A total of 519 university students participated in the survey from the three different countries. The Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL), developed by Rebecca Oxford (2003), was administered to explore cross-cultural differences in strategy use in the study. To explain cultural divergences, we employed Hofstede's 6-D model of cultural values. The study identified a number of cross-cultural similarities and differences in strategy use among these three groups. All the subsamples similarly preferred the use of metacognitive learning strategies; however, there were some significant differences among the countries. A significant difference was observed in cognitive language learning strategy usage for the Hungarian subsample compared to the Mongolian subsample. With regard to the affective field, we noticed that the Mongolian and Chinese students employed affective strategies significantly more frequently. The Hungarian students rated the use of affective strategies the lowest by comparison. These differences may be partly linked to the cultural traditions of the participating countries. Our findings also suggest that although students' cultural background is a significant factor, linguistic and educational background and teaching traditions are also crucial.

Exploring Hungarian teachers' perceptions of inclusive education of SEN students.

The purpose of the current study is to identify Hungarian teachers' perceptions of special educational needs (SEN) and to explore their teaching practices in relation to ICT tools involved in classes with both SEN and typically developing students. A hypothesized model was developed and tested based on the relevant literature to map the relations of the variables. The research was conducted among primary and secondary school teachers (N = 121) using an adapted version of the Audit of provision for students with special educational needs self-evaluation scale (Stack, 2007), which was rounded out with ICT issues and background data on teachers' knowledge of SEN practices acquired at university. A path analysis showed significant links between the teaching- and learning-related factors on the scale. We also observed significant relationships between ICT variables, but the effect between the two factors is rather limited. The quality of curriculum provision is the only significant factor which has a significant effect on using ICT teaching material. Our model also highlighted that teachers' knowledge of SEN acquired at university represents a determining factor in using ICT tools in SEN education. Teacher trainees who acquire comprehensive knowledge in their university education courses on teaching SEN students possess more profound skills to deal with them and possess higher-level competences in using ICT in their teaching practice. This study demonstrates that teaching SEN students in an integrated education system poses unique challenges; therefore, it is a relevant topic and an issue to be addressed. Our hope is that the results from this study will be useful in the future for schools and teachers educating students with special educational needs and that the findings will improve the overall understanding of inclusive education among schools and teachers.

Validation of a Self-Regulated Foreign Language Learning Strategy Questionnaire Through Multidimensional Modelling.

The main objective of the present research is to validate a Self-Regulated Foreign Language Learning Strategy Questionnaire based on previous research, conceptualised in a strategy inventory for language learning and self-regulated language learning. A total of 2223 lower secondary school children participated in the study. After the questionnaire development process, children completed the questionnaire online. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were conducted through structural equation modelling (SEM) to assess our hypothesised six-factor structure model. The results of the CFA validated a five-factor correlated model with metacognitive, cognitive, meta-affective, meta-sociocultural-interactive and sociocultural-interactive factors, while the affective factor was not included. Internal and composite reliability confirmed the consistency of our factors, and convergent validity provided evidence for significant relationships between them. Our results draw attention to the complexity of language learning strategy use, which spans cognitive, affective and sociocultural factors as well as their 'meta' approaches. A more concrete distinction demands further investigation and a more accurate design of the questionnaire in the affective field.

The Effect of Language Learning Strategies on Proficiency, Attitudes and School Achievement.

This study examines language learning strategy (LLS) use in connexion with foreign language attitude, proficiency and general school achievement among lower secondary students in Years 5 and 8 (n = 868) in Hungary. An adapted version of the Strategies Inventory for Language Learning questionnaire was used for data collection. The results showed that Hungarian students mainly engage in metacognitive strategies in both years. Differences between more and less proficient language learners' strategy use have also been found. With regard to the effect of LLS on foreign language attitude, the foreign language mark and school achievement, path analysis indicated a good fit in both years. The metacognitive, social and memory strategies primarily influenced foreign language attitudes and marks in Year 5. The metacognitive strategies had a slight impact on school achievement as well as on foreign language marks. We demonstrated the dominant effect of metacognitive strategies and the low effect of memory strategies in Year 8. In addition, metacognitive strategies also influenced foreign language marks. The effect of foreign language marks on school achievement was also remarkable. There was a strong impact on the children's attitudes through these variables.

[Empirical antibiotic therapy of complicated skin and soft tissue infections in dermatological practice]. / Komplikált bor- és lágyrész-fertozések empirikus antibiotikus terápiája a borgyógyászati gyakorlatban.

UNLABELLED: Erysipelas is an acute bacterial infection of the skin predominantly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. According to the international classification complicated erysipelas belongs to the complicated skin and soft tissue infections. Complicated infections are defined as severe skin involvement or when the infection occurs in compromised hosts. These infections frequently involve Gram-negative bacilli and anaerobic bacteria. AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the empirical antibiotic therapy for the patients who were admitted to the Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged. METHODS: The empirical therapy was started according to a previously determined protocol. The data of 158 patients with complicated skin and soft tissue infections were analyzed and the microbiology culture specimens and the isolates were also examined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results show that penicillin is the first choice for the treatment of erysipelas. However, the complicated skin and soft tissue infections require broad-spectrum antibiotics.