Papers by Silvija Hanžić Deda
Napredak , 2024
By presenting the theoretical framework and several examples of relevant studies regarding very e... more By presenting the theoretical framework and several examples of relevant studies regarding very early foreign language acquisition in the world and in Croatia, the aim of the paper is to raise awareness of the positive effects of learning English in pre-primary education. The theoretical background for early foreign language learning and acquisition is provided and complemented by descriptions of contemporary teaching methods which are based on play, environment, literature, and culture (as the key components). The paper further offers an overview of research, encompassing eight recent studies on early language acquisition in pre-primary education. The primary focus is on exploring the sample of participants, research methodology, and findings of these studies. The selection criteria for these studies are based on their relevance to the language learning domains outlined in the theory section. Through analysis, it becomes evident that researchers employ a combination of age-appropriate and child-friendly quantitative and qualitative methods. Although the studies may not support generalization due to small sample sizes, their results consistently demonstrate a positive impact of Total Physical Response (TPR), music, literature, integrated and project-based learning, as well as digitalization on vocabulary acquisition and the emergent literacy skills of pre-primary children.
European Journal of English Language Teaching, 2023
Podcasts are popular among listeners of all ages. In addition to being educational and entertaini... more Podcasts are popular among listeners of all ages. In addition to being educational and entertaining, they are a source of authentic language, featuring a diverse range of speakers, which makes them highly effective in language teaching. The advantages of using podcasts in FL teaching and learning have been documented across different language domains. Additionally, the use of podcasts can have a positive impact on learners' emotional traits such as motivation, self-confidence, and attitudes. It also serves as a foundation for independent and lifelong learning. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate and assess podcasts from the perspective of language teachers to maximize their potential as teaching resources. To achieve this, pre-service teachers are observed as both language learners and language teachers, evaluating podcasts as potential teaching materials in English as a Foreign Language (EFL). The first section of this paper provides an overview of research involving podcasts and their impact on foreign language learners' listening and speaking skills, lexical development, and intercultural communicative competence. The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the views and attitudes of pre-service English teachers regarding the implementation of podcasts in EFL, which are presented in the second part. The findings revealed that pre-service teachers are extensively exposed to podcasts in their private time, particularly in English. The majority of participants self-reported certain language improvements that could be attributed to podcast consumption. All participants shared a positive attitude toward using podcasts in their future teaching of EFL from the standpoint of language teachers, granting some boundaries when considering the ages and grade levels of EFL students. Potential differences between senior and junior preservice teachers, as well as correlations between the included variables, are examined and discussed with respect to their exposure to teaching methodology courses and EFL teaching practice.
Sustainable Multilingualism, 2021
This qualitative-quantitative study examines the level of metacomprehension awareness in internat... more This qualitative-quantitative study examines the level of metacomprehension awareness in international primary school students before, while, and after reading narrative texts. The first part of the study brings a short overview of theoretical background and previous research pertaining to metacognition and metacognitive strategies, reading comprehension, and plurilingualism in the context of formal education. The second part describes the participants, along with their diverse personal experiences regarding language and education. Two tests and a brief questionnaire were used for collecting the majority of information. A semi-structured interview was conducted to inquire about the participants' attitudes towards reading narrative texts and the languages to which they give preference while reading such texts. The findings reveal that, at the age of ten, plurilingual students demonstrate a certain amount of metacomprehension awareness while reading narrative texts in English. No major differences were found between two language-specific groups defined by the students' mother tongues, but certain differences occurred between boys and girls. Established reading language and language preferences for reading narrative texts seem to play an important role in effective reading comprehension, whereas age seems to be a more critical factor in the development of metacomprehension awareness of plurilingual 10-year-olds.
UPRT 2019: Empirical Studies in English Applied Linguistics in Honour of József Horváth, 2020
This paper investigates emotional support and task assistance as two instances of mentor roles du... more This paper investigates emotional support and task assistance as two instances of mentor roles during preservice language teachers' classroom practice. The participants of this study were 21 fifth-year students of graduate university study who were in the process of obtaining Master's Degrees in English Language and Literature, teaching stream. The findings revealed that preservice English teachers were capable of recognizing their mentors' experience and expertise while being supervised. Along with that, preservice teachers could successfully identify their strengths and weaknesses concerning teaching. Good rapport between mentors and preservice teachers played a key role in future teachers' performance.
Sustainable Multilingualism, 2020
This literature overview presents findings stemming from eleven contemporary studies dealing with... more This literature overview presents findings stemming from eleven contemporary studies dealing with various aspects of phonological sensitivity in bilingual and multilingual individuals within the context of formal education. The selected studies were published in English, during the past decade, but they include several languages in various combinations. The main objective of this review is to inquire about the nature of phonological sensitivity in bilingual and multilingual individuals while they are developing their early literacy or expanding their literacy to new languages. To achieve that, findings from the selected studies were categorized according to the targeted aspects of phonological sensitivity, i.e. phonological units. The most common research designs, instruments and self-reported limitations were listed to provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which research was conducted. Phonological sensitivity of young bilinguals and multilinguals who are developing their literacy skills appears to be complex, but no distinctive advantages or disadvantages were reported in comparison to monolinguals. However, multiple varying characteristics of research participants frequently interfere with the research design, mainly because of group heterogeneity and small sample size unsuitable for generalization. For a better understanding of the topic, further research is needed, especially in the area of multilingualism.
This case study examines the perspective of plurilingual primary school students on three aspects... more This case study examines the perspective of plurilingual primary school students on three aspects of their language use: code switching, positive language transfer and translation. In other words, the research question attempted to be answered in this paper is whether plurilingual primary school students use their communicative repertoires purposefully and strategically for their communication, acquisition, and learning of the languages. The research was conducted in a class of eighteen third-graders who attended an international primary school in Zagreb, with the average age of 9. Two questionnaires and a semi-structured interview were used to collect data about the students' language background, their language use, and their motives for engaging in code-switching, positive language transfer, and translation. In this research, the majority of the participants reported code-switching, the use of positive language transfer and translation. The findings also suggest the students are aware of the benefits that accompany plurilingualism, and that most of the participants possess significant metalinguistic awareness regardless of their young age. To sum up, this case study brings a valuable insight into the plurilingual world of primary school children and the development of their metalinguistic awareness.
UZRT 2016: Empirical Studies in Applied Linguistics, 2017
The main objective of this paper is to describe the process of designing a questionnaire evaluati... more The main objective of this paper is to describe the process of designing a questionnaire evaluating the Doctoral program in foreign language education at the FHSS (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences), University of Zagreb. Along with the PhD students’ demographic data, the newly designed questionnaire collects the students’ preferences regarding learning and teaching styles, which facilitates constructing more detailed student profiles. The questionnaire consists of several parts, and it evaluates the program from two perspectives: as a whole, and each course individually.
Skupina djece u dobi od 6-7 godina, koja su počela učiti engleski kao strani jezik, zajednički je... more Skupina djece u dobi od 6-7 godina, koja su počela učiti engleski kao strani jezik, zajednički je rekonstruirala priču po nizu slika iz slikovnice Cockatoos Quentina Blakea (1994). Analizira se tijek dječjega zajedničkog ‘ čitanja slika’ s ciljem da se istraže njihove strategije, uključujući porabu hrvatskoga i engleskoga jezika, njihova suradnja u rekonstrukciji i razumijevanju priče, kao i pojedinačne osobne i skupne reakcije na priču koju stvaraju i na sam proces 'čitanja'. Pokazalo se da su djeca u značajnoj mjeri uspjela rekonstruirati glavne događaje izvorne priče, da pritom rabila više raznorodnih strategija, te da je aktivnost bila na više načina svrsishodna u nastavi engleskoga jezika.
Book Reviews by Silvija Hanžić Deda
Libri et liberi , 2014
A book review of Janice Bland's book "Children’s Literature and Learner Empowerment: Children and... more A book review of Janice Bland's book "Children’s Literature and Learner Empowerment: Children and Teenagers in English Language Education" published in 2013.
Books by Silvija Hanžić Deda
Izazovi učenja stranoga jezika u osnovnoj školi, 2019
Poglavlje sadrži jezgrovit prikaz osnovnih digitalnih alata i njihovu primjenu u nastavi stranoga... more Poglavlje sadrži jezgrovit prikaz osnovnih digitalnih alata i njihovu primjenu u nastavi stranoga jezika u osnovnoj školi. Navedeni primjeri provjereni su u praksi tijekom nekoliko školskih godina, a primjenjivi su u kontaktnoj nastavi, u nastavi na daljinu te u provedbi učeničkih projekata.
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Papers by Silvija Hanžić Deda
Book Reviews by Silvija Hanžić Deda
Books by Silvija Hanžić Deda