Syerina Syahrin; Ali Algryani; Eman Alzaanin
Abstract
This paper investigates the relationship among students’ mindsets, academic performance, English proficiency, and that of their social networks in the Sultanate of Oman. Two main questions were addressed, namely the relationship among the students’ mindset, their social network’s mindset ...
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This paper investigates the relationship among students’ mindsets, academic performance, English proficiency, and that of their social networks in the Sultanate of Oman. Two main questions were addressed, namely the relationship among the students’ mindset, their social network’s mindset and their academic performance, and the correlation between the students’ proficiency in English and that of their social networks. Results revealed individual’s mindset significantly influences their academic performance. The mindset within an individual’s social network may also affect their academic achievement. Data also suggested that individual mindset has a more dominant role in the students’ academic performance than their social network. The relationship between participants’ English proficiency and their social network revealed inconclusive findings. Given Oman’s Vision 2040 that places a strong emphasis on knowledge-driven society, this study emphasizes the importance of nurturing a growth-oriented mindset within social networks to achieve national educational objectives.
Syerina Syahrin; Ali Algryani; Julius Irudayasamy
Abstract
This paper reports the uses and practices of literacy in English among a group of students in the Dhofar Governorate, Sultanate of Oman. Data was gathered from two undergraduate students. The findings of the study suggest that the students experienced rich and varied use of English outside of school ...
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This paper reports the uses and practices of literacy in English among a group of students in the Dhofar Governorate, Sultanate of Oman. Data was gathered from two undergraduate students. The findings of the study suggest that the students experienced rich and varied use of English outside of school than in school. The study also uncovered that the students’ experience with English outside of school is largely afforded by new technologies and that popular culture played a considerable role in their lives. The investigation studied the in-school and out-of-school literacy practices of the two students to evaluate if there are complementing and contrasting features in the two environments. The findings of the study suggest that awareness of how students use and practice English in different communities may enable instructors to integrate elements of literacy outside of school into their school literacy practices to facilitate their learning. By incorporating elements of out-of-school literacy into school literacy, students may be able to engage in meaningful literacy uses and practices that help them face the growing challenges of using English in the 21st century, which is an important aspect of Oman Vision 2040.