Universal Teaching and Learning Journal

Universal Teaching and Learning Journal (UTLJ) is an international peer-reviewed and scientific journal that explores the science and practice of education, pedagogy, and learning methodologies across various disciplines and contexts. UTLJ welcomes researchers, academicians, and practitioners to submit well-written manuscripts of original research, reviews, and case studies with insightful topics related to teaching and learning. UTLJ aims to theoretically and practically contribute to the advancement of educational science and effective teaching practices.

Universal Teaching and Learning Journal (UTLJ) is an international peer-reviewed and scientific journal that explores the science and practice of education, pedagogy, and learning methodologies across various disciplines and contexts. UTLJ welcomes researchers, academicians, and practitioners to submit well-written manuscripts of original research, reviews, and case studies with insightful topics related to teaching and learning. UTLJ aims to theoretically and practically contribute to the advancement of educational science and effective teaching practices.

Published
2025-09-03

Articles

The role of language and culture in Italian language teaching

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the interrelationship between language and culture in the process of teaching Italian as a foreign language and to evaluate how the integration of cultural components enhances educational effectiveness and communicative competence. Research Methodology: The study employed a mixed-methods approach. Data were collected through surveys distributed to Italian language teachers and students, complemented by classroom observation. In addition, the cultural content of textbooks and teaching materials was systematically analyzed based on contemporary linguistic and linguoculturology theories. Results: Findings indicate that incorporating cultural context in the teaching of Italian substantially improves learners’ communicative competence and engagement. Specific practices—such as the use of realia, exploration of cultural stereotypes, and reliance on authentic materials—proved particularly effective in fostering intercultural communication skills. Conclusions: The research concludes that language teaching is most effective when combined with cultural integration, as it strengthens both linguistic proficiency and intercultural awareness. Italian language education benefits significantly from adopting culturally informed methodologies. Limitations: The study was limited by its focus on a specific group of teachers and students, which may restrict the generalizability of findings across broader contexts and other foreign languages. Contribution: This research contributes to the field of foreign language teaching methodology by emphasizing the essential role of cultural integration in achieving communicative competence, offering practical strategies that can inform curriculum design and pedagogical practices.

Linguistic features of advertising videos created in Spanish language

Purpose: This study aims to conduct a comprehensive linguistic analysis of Spanish-language advertising videos, focusing on phonetic, morphological, syntactic, and semantic features. It seeks to identify how linguistic strategies, stylistic devices, and cultural elements shape the effectiveness of advertising discourse. Research Methodology: The research applied advertising discourse analysis based on Cook’s framework, examining a corpus of 450 commercials broadcast in Spain, Argentina, Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries between 2020–2024. The materials were categorized by medium (television, social media, online platforms) and product type (food, automotive, cosmetics, banking, telecommunications, etc.). Results: The findings reveal that Spanish advertising discourse is characterized by rhythmic sound patterns, frequent use of imperative verbs, evaluative and emotional lexicon, concise sentence structures, and multimodal integration. Phonetic devices such as assonance and alliteration enhance memorability, while clitics “te” and “se” strategically influence persuasion. Cultural values—particularly family orientation and national identity—emerge as central themes, distinguishing Spanish advertising from other linguistic contexts. Conclusions: Spanish advertising discourse combines emotional appeal, cultural identity, and pragmatic linguistic tools to maximize consumer impact. The balance of multimodal features and linguistic creativity ensures high effectiveness and brand recall. Limitations: The study is limited to Spanish-speaking countries and does not compare results directly with advertisements from other languages. Contribution: This research contributes to linguistics, marketing, and translation studies by providing empirical evidence of how cultural and linguistic features interact in advertising. It also offers practical insights for international marketing strategies and Spanish language pedagogy.

The formation of islamic character through the student-led conference (SLC) program (in grade 9 smp insan cendekia madani boarding school development Serpong, South Tangerang City)

Purpose: This study aims to examine the implementation of the Student-Led Conference (SLC) program for grade 9 students at SMP Insan Cendekia Madani BSD, Ciater Village, Serpong District, South Tangerang City, analyze its role in developing Islamic character, and identify supporting and inhibiting factors.Research methodology: The research employs a descriptive-qualitative approach, with data collected through observation, documentation, interviews with relevant stakeholders, and triangulation to ensure data validity. Results: The findings reveal that the SLC program, implemented through structured stages, effectively fosters Islamic character traits such as independence and responsibility among students. Supporting factors include strong commitment and collaboration from the school, parents, and students. Inhibiting factors include parents’ delays or absence during scheduled SLC sessions, difficulties in understanding students’ presentations, and overlapping school programs requiring simultaneous completion by teachers. Conclusions: The SLC program serves as an innovative strategy for character education, particularly in enhancing students’ independence and responsibility in line with Islamic values. Successful implementation depends on consistent parental involvement, clear communication, and effective time management at the school level. Limitations: The study is context-specific, focusing solely on grade 9 students at SMP ICM BSD, and may not fully represent other institutions or grade levels. Contribution: This research provides empirical insights into integrating SLC into Islamic character education, offering practical recommendations for educators to optimize parental engagement and manage program scheduling effectively.

ESP-based sociolinguistic exercises with AI integration for technical students

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the potential of integrating English for Specific Purposes (ESP) methodology with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance sociolinguistic competence among technical university students. Traditional ESP courses often prioritize linguistic aspects such as grammar and vocabulary, leaving pragmatic and context-sensitive communication underexplored. Research Methodology: The research adopts a conceptual and descriptive design based on Hutchinson and Waters’ ESP framework and Canale and Swain’s communicative competence model. The study synthesizes recent empirical findings on AI-assisted language learning, particularly the use of chatbots, speech tools, and digital applications to strengthen sociolinguistic competence. Results: Findings from prior studies indicate that AI integration significantly improves learner motivation, oral confidence, and engagement. AI-supported tools foster better pragmatic awareness, register and dialect practice, and create positive classroom climates. Additionally, AI enhances both teacher perspectives on digital integration and learners’ linguistic competence development. Conclusions: The article proposes a methodological model of AI-assisted ESP sociolinguistic exercises. This integration is expected to enrich technical students’ communication skills by embedding sociolinguistic awareness into ESP instruction. Limitations: The study is conceptual in nature and relies on secondary data. Future empirical testing in classroom settings is required to validate the proposed model. Contribution: This research contributes a pedagogical framework that demonstrates how AI can complement ESP in fostering sociolinguistic competence, offering practical recommendations for technical higher education contexts.

Functional-semantic peculiarities of translating cybersecurity terminology

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the challenges and strategies involved in translating English cybersecurity terminology into Uzbek, with particular attention to preserving the functional and semantic features of the source terms. Research methodology: The research applies a descriptive-analytical approach by examining existing terminological units in English and their Uzbek equivalents. Comparative linguistic analysis and semantic mapping are used to identify patterns of borrowing, adaptation, and equivalence in translation. Results: The findings indicate that most Uzbek cybersecurity terminology originates from English, often entering through direct borrowing or partial adaptation. While many terms maintain functional accuracy, semantic distortions occur when literal translation is applied without contextual consideration. The research also highlights that some terminological units enrich the Uzbek lexicon, while others pose challenges in achieving precise equivalents due to cultural and linguistic differences. Conclusions: Translating cybersecurity terms requires strategies that balance linguistic accuracy with functional clarity. The study concludes that a hybrid approach—combining direct borrowing with contextual adaptation—is the most effective way to maintain the semantic integrity of specialized terms. Limitations: The study is limited to selected cybersecurity terms and does not encompass all branches of information technology. Broader corpus-based research may be needed to generalize the findings. Contribution: This research contributes to translation studies and applied linguistics by providing insights into the mechanisms of term transfer between English and Uzbek, offering practical recommendations for translators, linguists, and ICT professionals.

Exercises and techniques to improve the effectiveness of students’ as a future interpreter

Purpose: This article aims to examine exercises and techniques that enhance interpreters’ effectiveness by strengthening cognitive, linguistic, and practical skills. The study emphasizes the significance of active listening, memory retention, and quick decision-making in real-world interpreting contexts. Research methodology: A qualitative descriptive approach was employed, synthesizing insights from professional guidelines, theoretical frameworks, and practical training experiences. Various strategies such as memory enhancement exercises, shadowing techniques, and simultaneous interpretation drills were analyzed to determine their relevance and applicability. Results: The findings indicate that interpreters benefit significantly from consistent practice using diverse materials, including speeches, interviews, and real-time conversations. These practices improve fluency, accuracy, and the ability to manage stress under time pressure. Furthermore, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application reinforces professional communicative competence. Conclusions: Continuous professional development is essential for interpreters to maintain and advance their performance. Structured training, coupled with exposure to authentic communication scenarios, ensures both adaptability and long-term proficiency. Limitations: The study is conceptual and does not include empirical testing with a specific sample of interpreters, which limits generalizability. Future research should integrate experimental or longitudinal data to strengthen validation. Contribution: This article provides a comprehensive framework of exercises and strategies that can serve as a practical guide for interpreter training programs and individuals seeking to refine their professional competence.

The issues of developing students’ linguistic competence in learning Arabic in scholarly and methodological literature

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the main challenges and strategies in developing students’ linguistic competence in Arabic, emphasizing the phonological, morphological, syntactic, and pragmatic dimensions that are shaped by the unique features of Arabic, including diglossia and the root-and-pattern morphology. Research Methodology: The article employs a qualitative review of recent scholarly and methodological literature on Arabic language teaching. The analysis focuses on identifying recurrent obstacles and recommended pedagogical approaches highlighted in contemporary studies. Results: The findings reveal that students face persistent difficulties in mastering phonology, script acquisition, and dialectal variation. Moreover, the integration of cultural knowledge is recognized as an essential but often underemphasized component in achieving effective linguistic competence. Successful approaches reported in the literature include communicative and competency-based methods, a balanced emphasis on both Modern Standard Arabic and colloquial dialects, and the incorporation of digital learning tools to support language practice. Conclusions: The study concludes that interdisciplinary perspectives are crucial in addressing the complexity of Arabic linguistic competence. Teacher preparation and continuous professional development play a central role in ensuring effective instruction and meaningful learning outcomes. Limitations: As a literature-based study, the research is limited by the scope of available sources and lacks empirical classroom observation, which may restrict the direct generalizability of the findings. Contribution: This study contributes to Arabic language pedagogy by synthesizing recent insights and offering practical recommendations for educators and curriculum designers seeking to improve the development of linguistic competence.