i-manager's Journal on English Language Teaching (JELT)


Volume 14 Issue 2 April - June 2024

Research Paper

Impact of Soft Skills Awareness upon Practice towards Maximizing Employability among English Graduates in Bangladesh

Robiul Islam* , Happy Kumar Das**, Monjurul Islam***
* Institute of Bangladesh Studies (IBS), University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
**-*** Institute of Education and Research, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
Islam, R., Das, H. K., and Islam, M. (2024). Impact of Soft Skills Awareness upon Practice towards Maximizing Employability among English Graduates in Bangladesh. i-manager’s Journal on English Language Teaching, 14(2), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.14.2.20452

Abstract

Many students who are pursuing graduate and postgraduate degrees are unable to effectively apply their learning to their daily lives and jobs. As a result, Bangladeshi graduates struggle with the country's high unemployment rate. As a result, it is essential to incorporate soft skills training into the curriculum to ensure how to put students' awareness of soft skills from English literature into practice in real-world situations. Twelve fundamental soft skills, including emotional intelligence, interpersonal, people management, self-management, collaboration, time management, decisionmaking, problem-solving, leadership, critical thinking, and creativity, were identified in addition to the identification of forty-nine subskills. To examine the median levels of awareness and practice of soft skills among English graduates, a paired sample t-test was utilized in this study. A regression and correlation analysis measured the relationship between soft skill awareness and practice. The study triangulated data using a students' survey (323), teachers' in-depth interviews (18), students' focus group discussion (9), and secondary literature. The results revealed that the awareness of soft skills among English graduates had a beneficial effect on their degree of practice. The results showed that by including soft skills training in the curriculum and establishing specific implementation instructions, the employability of English graduates would be maximized through awareness of soft skills. The results have significant implications for Bangladeshi educational policy and practice, and by improving graduates' employability, they help the country's economy thrive.

Research Paper

Oppressed becomes the Oppressor: Psychoanalytical Intersections of Trauma in Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye

Sahaya Babina Rose S.* , Kavitha R.**, Richard Mwale***
*,*** Department of English Language and Literature, Gideon Robert University, Lusaka, Zambia.
** DMI St. Eugene University, Zambia.
Rose, S. S. B., Kavitha, R., and Mwale, R. (2024). Oppressed becomes the Oppressor: Psychoanalytical Intersections of Trauma in Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye. i-manager’s Journal on English Language Teaching, 14(2), 16-24. https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.14.2.20682

Abstract

This paper explores the intricate interplay of racism, trauma, and identity in Toni Morrison's novel, The Bluest Eye. It delves into the challenges faced by African Americans within a predominantly white society by utilizing current trauma theory and black feminist concepts. The theoretical framework includes cultural trauma theories, including the contributions from Schreiber and insights from feminist thinkers like Bell Hooks and Patricia Hill Collins. Moreover, through an intersectional analysis, this study scrutinizes how gender, racial, class, and generational trauma intertwine to mold individuals' experiences and self-perception. Therefore, by amalgamating trauma theories with feminist perspectives, this paper provides valuable insights into the struggles of the characters and the societal dynamics portrayed in Morrison's novel, The Bluest Eye.

Research Paper

Exploring Implementation Guideline for Teaching-Learning Soft Skills within English Literature Education

Robiul Islam* , Happy Kumar Das**
* Institute of Bangladesh Studies (IBS), University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
** Institute of Education and Research, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
Islam, R., and Das, H. K. (2024). Exploring Implementation Guideline for Teaching-Learning Soft Skills within English Literature Education. i-manager’s Journal on English Language Teaching, 14(2), 25-50. https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.14.2.20502

Abstract

This study investigates the role of English literature in fostering essential soft skills necessary for employability in the context of Bangladesh's educational system. This paper employs qualitative methods, including interviews with faculty members and senior students from tertiary-level colleges affiliated with the National University. The thematic analysis reveals that English literature contributes significantly to the development of communication, interpersonal, self-management, collaboration, emotional intelligence, time management, problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking, leadership, and creativity skills among students. The findings underscore the importance of integrating diverse pedagogical approaches, such as constructivist teaching, literature circles, and experiential learning, to effectively nurture these skills. The study recommends prioritizing soft skills training within the curriculum to enhance graduates' employability in the face of evolving job market demands, particularly amidst the challenges posed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Research Paper

Code-Switching among Bilingual Ethnic-Adyghe Community in the Black Sea Region

Goshnag Arslanbay* , Deren Başak Akman Yeşilel**
*,** Department of English Language Teaching, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.
Arslanbay, G., and Yeşilel, D. B. A. (2024). Code-Switching among Bilingual Ethnic-Adyghe Community in the Black Sea Region. i-manager’s Journal on English Language Teaching, 14(2), 51-65. https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.14.2.20760

Abstract

This study focuses on the linguistic phenomenon of code-switching (CS) in the bilingual Ethnic-Adyghe community in the Black Sea region of Turkey. Specifically, this paper aims to analyze the types of CS and the factors that influence CS in different situational conversations, with a focus on Ethnic Adyghe individuals. The study utilizes a qualitative research design, using a purposive sample type of 10 Ethnic Adyghe individuals living in Samsun, Turkey. This study favors the use of informal settings to gather data from various linguistic contexts and analyze the frequency of CS. The findings indicate that participants used intra-sentential CS the most (59.9%). One major reason for that was the lack of vocabulary in Adyghe, leading participants to switch to Turkish to fill the lexical gap and effectively communicate their thoughts. Moreover, a total of 14 factors were identified. These factors encompassed aspects such as proficiency, social norms, cultural identity, vocabulary limitations, and communication effectiveness. The identification of these factors contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics of code-switching within the bilingual Ethnic-Adyghe community.

Review Paper

The Role of Implicit Learning in Second Language Acquisition

Flavia P. D'Souza* , Padmanabha C. H.**
*,** Srinivas Institute of Education, Mangalore, Karnataka. India.
D'souza, F. P., and Padmanabha, C. H. (2024). The Role of Implicit Learning in Second Language Acquisition. i-manager’s Journal on English Language Teaching, 14(2), 66-70. https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.14.2.20689

Abstract

A number of academic disciplines, including philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience, are deeply interested in language acquisition. The process of acquiring a language is complicated and includes learning vocabulary, linguistic structures, and communication techniques. The most crucial factor in developing diverse cooperative networks for the generation of new knowledge is the use of three to five languages. Learning a language is different from learning other skills or knowledge because of the unique status of a language. However, in order to be able to use the language, one must also acquire it. In the context of learning a second language, implicit learning is especially significant for language acquisition. The best research subject for implicit learning is language, and language learning benefits from implicit learning. Studies have identified and examined a wide range of criteria. This paper discusses the concept of implicit learning, its relevance to second language acquisition, and its implications for language teaching and suggests ways in which educators can incorporate these strategies into their pedagogical practices.