Finding Understanding
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
The Meanings of Social Interaction in the Classroom for University Students in Mexico: From Virtual to Face-to-face View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Elí Orlando Lozano González
Due to COVID-19, in March 2020, higher level classes in Mexico migrated from face-to-face to virtual modality. Currently, in 2022, there is a process of returning to presential classes. One of the aspects that contrasts between both modalities is the social interaction during classes. This research seeks to describe the meanings that Mexican higher education students give to social interaction in the classroom, either virtual or face-to-face, since they have experiences in both. The theoretical/interpretive approach that is assumed is the symbolic interactionism, which postulates that people construct the meanings of the objects based on the interaction they have with the objects themselves and other subjects in their social environment; in addition, those meanings can change depending on specific situations. This research is qualitative, a questionnaire of open questions was applied to 90 students from various public higher education institutions in Mexico. It was found that there is a preference for face-to-face classes, due to the interaction possibilities they offer both with teachers and with other students, giving the opportunity of establishing dialogues of academic or non-academic issues; also, the importance of the face-to-face relationship and non-verbal language is highlighted. All of these, generates environments of greater trust and understanding in the presential classroom. On the other hand, students perceive that in virtual classes communication is difficult and there is a greater distance between the members of the classroom. All these aspects influence the motivation and willingness to learn of the students, which varies according to the modality.
ESL Teachers’ Global Competence in English Lessons View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Nur Syafiqah Yaccob, Harwati Hashim, Melor Md. Yunus
English language teachers’ global competence assists students’ global competence development in language learning. This study identifies Malaysian ESL teachers’ understanding and knowledge of global competence. It primarily focuses on examining the perceptions of English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers on global competence in English teaching. 172 Malaysian ESL teachers responded to the web-based google form survey questionnaire. Findings indicate that the ESL teachers perceived global competence as crucial to be inculcated in English lessons. They believed that they had integrated globally competent teaching practices into ESL lessons. The respondents showed understanding and knowledge of global competence, although the extent to which they understood the elements of global competence in ESL teaching was doubtful. The respondents also agreed to insufficient support from the Ministry of Education (MoE) to develop their global competence or globally competent teaching. The findings served as a template for a larger-scale study that focuses on implementing global competence in the local and non-western contexts. Besides, the overall awareness of developing ESL teachers’ global competence and mastering its elements for integration in language lessons require more attention.
Featured The Legend of Llorona: Connection with Similar Legends and Its Presence Today
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Georgia Haikali
Llorona or Weeping Woman is one of Mexico’s most famous legends with pre-hispanic roots that has become famous around the world. She was a woman who killed her children out of anger for her husband and now wanders the rivers at night and mourns for their loss. Her cry foretells death. Books, songs, poems, scientific articles have been written, movies have been made about this legend. But legends, myths, folk tales about weeping women, women who experienced violence and were led to it exist all over the world. In the present work, an attempt is made to connect Llorona with other similar legends or myths, mainly European. In the long course of her existence she was symbolized in various ways, expressing each time the values and concerns of different civilizations, ending up to a twisted perception of her being by the horror movie industry.
