Articles in this Volume

Research Article Open Access
Vocabulary Learning Strategies of English as a Foreign/Second Language
English has become the most widely spoken language in the world, and memorizing vocabulary is a fundamental step in acquiring this language. Many English as a foreign language (EFL)/English as a second language (ESL) learners have difficulty remembering new words, so vocabulary learning strategies are studied globally. This literature review examined international research across ages and discussed three learning strategies: the keyword method, pictorial association, and the mind-mapping method. Results suggested that the three learning strategies effectively improved students’ vocabulary recall and retention, and learning strategies help EFL/ESL learners with vocabulary studies.
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The Impact of Age on Short-term Memory
Short-term memory (STM) temporarily stores sensory events, movements, and cognitive information. Several studies have shown that STM can store previously encountered information as memory. Studies show that as age increases, the STM of the individual decreases; however, there is no precise age division for when the decay of STM occurs. In this study, a method of short-term visual memorization of a random sequence of numbers has been used to study the correlation between age and STM, and the age of decay of STM. The result of this study has shown a significant difference in the number of digits recalled between the age groups 1-12 and 65 and above and age groups 13-17 and 65 and above.Similarly, age groups 1-12 and 18-64 differed significantly. We conclude that the increase in age correlates negatively with short-term memory, where the STM and the ability to recall short items decrease as age increases. Potential genetic and physiological mechanisms of the negative correlation between age and STM are discussed.
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Lack of Sleep among College Students Can Lead to Negative Emotions and Affect Memory
Sleep deprivation is associated with various disorders in most body systems. College students are one of the most significantly affected groups by sleep deprivation. However, the impact of sleep deprivation on emotions and memory has been fully demonstrated. No researchers have studied whether sleep deprivation causes social anxiety and affects college students' ability to remember words. This study aims to explore the effects of sleep deprivation on emotional control and memory abilities in adolescents. Thirty-four participants were investigated online to collect and evaluate sleep quality, Social anxiety, and vocabulary memory. The questionnaire included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Self Review Anxiety Scale (SAS), and vocabulary memory time under different sleep qualities. Correlation and regression analyses of sleep quality, Social anxiety, and memory foreword ability. There was no significant correlation between sleep deprivation, anxiety, and vocabulary memory. Research has shown that sleep deprivation does not cause stress or affect vocabulary memory. To improve the reliability of current research, future work can increase the sample size.
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The Impact of Social Anxiety on the Teamwork Behaviors in Adolescence
Research Background: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders in adolescence, which can essentially limit the effectiveness of social events that can help facilitate peer relationships. This study aims to investigate the effects of social anxiety on between-adolescent relationships, with a particular focus on teamwork behaviors. Methods: The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and the Teamwork Attitude Questionnaire (T-TAQ) were conducted among 45 participants. Results: Our analysis showed no significant correlation between the level of social phobia and teamwork behaviors. Conclusions: We conclude that there is a correlation between social phobia and teamwork performance, while without statistical significance. Future work could improve sample size and optimize T-TAQ to increase the credibility of the present research.
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The Prevalence of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Elders in Chongqing, China
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a window to detect dementia, and to screen MCI, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is commonly used. This work investigated the prevalence of MCI in Chongqing elderlies by using MoCA as a tool. One hundred fourteen valid data from older adults (≥ 55 years, 51.75% males) were recruited for this research. Twelve demographic information were collected, and each participant did one of the two versions of MoCA tests (Beijing 7.1, and the optimized version). They were developed based on the Beijing 7.1 version, and four test sections were optimized to adapt to the native speaking and cultural background. Five risky demographic factors were found. The incidence of MCI detected by the optimized MoCA version was lowered to 83.3% compared to 94.4% in the original version, and the naming section was significantly improved. The significant decrease in the overall prevalence indicates that the optimization of the MoCA has, to some extent, made it more suitable for Chongqing elders. Accordingly, we suggest further professional and detailed improvements to MoCA.
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Exploring the Improvement of Chinese Junior High School Students' English Capacities in Oral Speaking
In today's globalized world, English language proficiency has gained significant importance. However, the emphasis on exam-oriented education in Chinese junior high schools has led to a neglect of students' comprehensive English communication skills, particularly oral speaking abilities. In this research paper, I investigate effective strategies and interventions to enhance English-speaking proficiency among Chinese junior high school students. Through synthesizing existing research, the study aims to identify successful approaches while highlighting gaps for future research. My literature review highlights the critical role of pronunciation in oral English learning. Despite its importance, English pronunciation is often neglected in Chinese education due to the prevailing focus on written test scores. Existing research has explored numerous ways to improve English pronunciation, including incorporating music and utilizing Computer-Assisted Pronunciation Training (CAPT) systems. Moreover, my paper addresses the challenges junior high school students face in developing English speaking skills, such as limited oral English classes and a lack of appropriate teaching materials. Students' lack of interest and anxiety toward verbal English learning further contribute to the problem. To address these issues, this study proposes two main interventions: utilizing music as an auxiliary method in teaching spoken English and employing dubbing apps in English teaching and after-class assignments. Additionally, role-playing activities are suggested to enhance students' enthusiasm for oral English learning. Through interviews with English teachers, this research aims to shed light on effective approaches to improve oral English proficiency among Chinese junior high school students and provide practical insights for language educators.
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Is the Inequality of Education the Main Factor That Causes the Gender Inequality in Different Industries?
Gender inequality remains a significant issue globally, affecting various aspects of individuals' lives. Despite improvements in educational opportunities for women, gender disparities persist, particularly in the workplace. This study aims to investigate the role of education in contributing to gender inequality in different industries. Data was collected from the United States Census Bureau, including information on education levels, occupational distribution, and gender ratios. Statistical analysis methods, such as analysis of variance (ANOVA), were employed to examine the relationship between education and gender inequality. The findings show that while educational attainment has improved for both genders, gender disparities still exist in occupational distribution. Most females remain concentrated in certain industries, such as education, while males dominate fields like management and STEM occupations. These findings highlight the need to address gender inequality beyond educational factors and consider societal and cultural influences. By understanding the complexities of gender inequality, policymakers, and stakeholders can work towards promoting gender equity and equal opportunities for all.
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Comparison of the Chinese and Hungarian Education Systems
As countries strive to develop competitive, knowledge-based economies, they face the challenges of a rapidly changing global landscape. Understanding the fundamental and different aspects of education systems is of great importance. This paper compares the Chinese and Hungarian higher education systems from the following four main elements: (1) administrative divisions; (2) school systems; (3) educational assessments; (4) challenges in HE. Given that every education system is deeply intertwined with a distinct cultural and social context that shapes its organization and functioning, it is imperative for academics to examine these intricacies when conducting cross-national comparisons carefully. Prior research has exclusively focused on higher education in China and Hungary separately, without comparing the two. Therefore, to understand the factors influencing higher education in Hungary and China, the researcher is prepared to provide valuable insights and more data analysis into the complexities of global education.
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Unraveling Fertility Intention in Highly Populated Chinese Cities: The Role of Working Time and Job Satisfaction
In 2015, the Chinese Central Government implemented a two-child policy, a family planning policy that encourages each couple to have two children, relaxing previous birth restrictions under the one-child policy. However, the new measures did not result in the expected wave of births. Even after the implementation of the three-child policy in 2020, China’s fertility rate is still 1.3, far below the replacement level. Since the effectiveness of pro-natalist policies such as financial incentives and parental leave in encouraging women to have more children is also questionable, the research intends to propose alternative demographic solutions to raise the total fertility rate. This paper argues for combating working overtime and raising work satisfaction to raise fertility intention for Chinese women in highly populated cities. Obtaining data from questionnaires completed by women in eight megacities in China, the study conducts Spearman Correlation on variables in the data set. Results indicate that women have a large workload each week, relatively positive work satisfaction, and a low desire to have children both currently and prospectively. Meanwhile, correlation analysis suggests a negative correlation between work time and fertility intention. Further investigation on work satisfaction suggests that job security and benefits in government-affiliated institutions influence the number of existing children greatly, while income and promotion opportunities stand out to be the most important factors in impacting both existing and planned child numbers in the significance test. Based on the findings, the study proposes to launch public awareness campaigns, create regulations to enhance equal promotion opportunities in enterprises, and tailor regional initiatives to address local fertility changes. Future studies can expand the scope to include male perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of fertility intention in populated cities that have stressful work environments.
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Are Chinese Students Studying in North America More Willing to Make Friends with Chinese People due to Language Problems?
This work delves into the social interactions of Chinese international students in North America, focusing on the interplay between language proficiency, ingroup bias, and their implications for forging friendships within ethnic communities. The study integrated quantitative and qualitative methodologies, analyzing English proficiency, Big Five Inventory scores, and stress indicators during self-introduction tasks. Initial findings suggest a strong correlation between English proficiency, ingroup bias, and stress levels in self-introduction settings, especially in predominantly non-Chinese audiences. In this work, the potential influence of digital communication platforms like Zoom and inherent biases in self-reported data are also acknowledged as limitations. The research underscores the necessity for higher educational institutions to promote language development and intercultural competence, fostering an inclusive social environment for international students. Through this paper, the author aim to shed light on the complexities of social networking among Chinese international students, offering insights to enhance multicultural understanding and inclusion in academic settings.
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