This study adopts a functional approach to investigate specific discourse markers employed by L1 English and L2 English users in non-native English speaking contexts. Twenty-four academic essays were voluntarily submitted by the students for analysis. Primarily, Fraser’s (2009) taxonomy was used to identify discourse markers and to know its use in writing academic essays. Findings indicate that there were notable differences between L1 and L2 users in using discourse markers, specifically in its frequency and functions. Accordingly, L1 English users’ writings frequently displayed elaborative markers followed by temporal, inferential, and cons transitive discourses. Meanwhile, L2 English users’ writings showed the overuse of certain discourse types such as temporal and inferential markers. In the coding of data, it was also revealed the L2 users’ overused of discourse markers resulted in incoherent texts. Language teachers may need to raise awareness of how discourse markers can be used variably in writing academic essays.

The internationalization of higher education has led to the increasing number of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) programs in contexts where English is not the first language nor the medium of communication, including Thailand. The introduction of EMI programs, however, is not without challenges. Therefore, a survey questionnaire was used to investigate the attitudes of engineering and nursing students toward EMI. Differences of attitudes based on the program of study, gender, nationality, year level, number of years studying English, the language of instruction in high school, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level, and perceived proficiencies in speaking, reading, writing, and listening were explored. In addition, factors affecting the students’ EMI attitudes were known using exploratory factor analysis. Findings have shown significant differences in various aspects of EMI based on the program of study, CEFR level, and perceived proficiencies of the four macro language skills. Also, eight factors were elicited, including difficulties of the English language, availability of resources and opportunities, personal goals in life, limitations of time when studying content courses in English, providing activities to improve English language proficiency, enhancement of career goals, supports needed, and motivation and intercultural ability. Finally, implications were outlined to support the implementation of EMI, dubbed as an “unstoppable train”, in similar contexts like Thailand.

The adoption of English as a medium of instruction (EMI) in Thailand is not without difficulties. In this study, the needs and challenges of nursing students and teachers were explored qualitatively in a program where courses are allowed to be taught fully in English, fully in Thai or both in Thai and English. Focus group interviews for students were conducted, while semi-structured interviews were employed for teachers to gain in-depth knowledge about the topic at hand. Insights from students revealed the importance of English toward their career goals, their needs and challenges related to EMI (i.e., bilingual support system, clarification of technical terms, code-switching instruction), and their coping strategies when the lesson is challenging to comprehend. On the other hand, teachers confirmed the students’ language proficiency problems. In addition, they also reflected on their challenges in teaching the content subject in English, for example, the lack of time to prepare teaching materials in English. Teaching techniques were also elicited to respond to the learning challenges experienced by the students. Finally, practical implications were discussed to support students and teachers of EMI programs.

L2 reading fluency and accuracy are crucial aspects of second language (L2) acquisition, as they directly influence cognitive processing and overall reading comprehension. Developing these skills enables learners to engage with texts efficiently and build confidence in their reading abilities. This study uses reading software to examine the relationship between reading fluency and accuracy in the L2 learning context. Two primary research questions were addressed: the correlation between reading fluency and accuracy and potential gender-based differences in reading performance metrics, including reading time, comprehension, and developmental progress. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a strong, positive relationship between fluency and accuracy, indicating that improvements in one skill are associated with enhancements in the other. Additionally, fluency and accuracy were positively correlated with reading comprehension and developmental measures, underscoring the interconnected nature of these skills. Gender comparisons, analyzed through independent t-tests, indicated no significant differences in reading software engagement or performance. This suggests the software provides equitable support across genders, enabling consistent skill development in fluency, accuracy, and comprehension. The findings highlight the critical role of technology in facilitating balanced reading instruction and offer insights into its potential to address diverse learner needs effectively.

This paper presents the findings of a large-scale quantitative study, which involved surveying 1,184 undergraduates from a Thai science and technology university to assess both their general and language mindsets. The study’s primary aims were to identify the prevalence of growth or fixed among these students, explore potential statistical variations in mindsets based on gender, year level, and perceived language proficiencies, and ascertain the relationships between mindsets, gender, year level, and perceived proficiency. Additionally, the research delved into the structural dimensions of their general and language mindsets. Descriptive, inferential and factor analyses were employed for data analysis. Descriptive analysis revealed that Thai undergraduate students predominantly embrace growth mindsets in both their general and language-related beliefs. Notably, t-test showed no significant disparities were detected among the variables examined, indicating a consistent mindset across various demographic groups. Moreover, correlational analysis identified relationships between general mindset, language mindset and perceived general language proficiency. Furthermore, language mindset showed significant associations with year level and perceived general language proficiency. In terms of the factorial structure, factor analysis yielded three distinct factors of general mindset, while the language mindset exhibited a unidimensional structure. Discussions included theoretical and pedagogical implications, as well as directions for future research in language mindset.

This paper reinforces the importance of third language acquisition research in a multilingual context focusing on language experience, vocabulary learning strategies, emotional self-regulation strategies, and language anxiety. This study explored three languages: Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese, to know if there are significant relationships between the above variables in third language acquisition. Three specific sets of survey questionnaires were distributed to various students enrolled in foreign language courses offered in a language department in a university. To focus on the relationships of language learning variables of a foreign language, correlational design was used to analyze the survey questionnaires' responses for each language course. Among students who were enrolled in Chinese, significant relationships were established between language anxiety and language experience, language anxiety, and emotional self-regulation strategies. Significant associations were found between emotional self-regulation strategies and language experience, emotional self-regulation strategies, and vocabulary strategies, and language performance and language experience for those students enrolled in the Korean language. In learning Vietnamese, significant relationships were found between language anxiety and vocabulary strategies, language performance, and language anxiety. Teachers may need to re-evaluate prepared teaching and learning materials, for example, material difficulty, to help students alleviate anxiety in learning.