Technologies and Second Language: Nigerian Students’ Adaptive Strategies to Cope With Language Barrier in Northern Cyprus

Authors

  • Adeola Abdulateef Elega Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus-Turkey
  • Bahire Efe Özad Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus-Turkey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v7i3.205

Keywords:

ICT, second languages, international students, language barrier, smart phones, mobile translation apps

Abstract

This study sought to investigate how Nigerian students in Northern Cyprus cope with language barrier and increase interactions with people of the host community beyond the classroom via utilizing technological adaptive strategies. In order to complete this study, a descriptive design based on a survey conducted among 238 Nigerian students studying in a North Cyprus university was used. Result shows that mobile translation apps such as Google Translate, iVoice translator pro and iTranslate voice mobile were frequently used by Nigerian students more than other technological adaptive strategies. We also found that male students use ICT to cope with language barrier more than the females, and that social media was widely used, second to the translation assistant apps.

Author Biographies

  • Adeola Abdulateef Elega, Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus-Turkey

    ADEOLA ABDULATEEF ELEGA, MA, is a doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies from Eastern Mediterranean University in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. His research interests are interpersonal communication, language, culture and communication, and computer mediated communication (CMC), and social networking sites. 

  • Bahire Efe Özad, Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus-Turkey

    BAHIRE EFE ÖZAD, PhD, is a lecturer at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies of the Eastern Mediterranean University, located in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. She holds a PhD in Education from the University of Manchester. Currently she teaches Research Methods for Social Sciences and English for Mass Communication. Her research interests are educational technology, media literacy, culture, particularly the gypsy culture in Cyprus. 

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Published

2017-07-01

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 3 (2017)

Section

Research Articles (English)

Categories

License

All published articles are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 Unported License.

How to Cite

Technologies and Second Language: Nigerian Students’ Adaptive Strategies to Cope With Language Barrier in Northern Cyprus. (2017). Journal of International Students, 7(3), 486-498. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v7i3.205