scholarly journals Usability of QiraahBot for extensive Arabic reading activities

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 04005
Author(s):  
Al-Muslim Mustapa ◽  
Zulkifli Nawawi ◽  
Salamiah Ab. Ghani ◽  
Maryam Abdul Rahman ◽  
Zuraida Shaadon ◽  
...  

Today’s changing learning landscape urges the integration of mobile phone technology and Arabic learning as a foreign language. Learning through mobile phones is seen as a potential teaching aids which demonstrate effectiveness in teaching and learning activities. A QiraahBot prototype was built to aid the implementation of extensive Arabic reading activities. The user’s perspective on QiraahBot’s usability is essential for the effectiveness of learning through mobile phone applications. This study aims to identify the level of usability of the QiraahBot application prototype and to explore the deeper experience of users using the application. Therefore, a group of 30 student users was involved in the study. They were assigned tasks to be completed within the specified periods via the application, and then given an open-ended questionnaire adapted from the System Usability Scale. The findings show that the QiraahBot usability level is moderate. The study also revealed some of the advantages of QiraahBot as easy to use and the ability to help the learning process. In addition, there are weaknesses in applications, especially aspects of application usability, which needs to be improved in the next version. The researcher has provided some suggestions for further studies that are more comprehensive in the future.

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-199
Author(s):  
Mahrus Asʾad ◽  
Ahmad Bukhori Muslim ◽  
Wagdi Rashad Ali Bin-Hady

Abstract Similar to other theistic texts, the Qurʾan has some figurative languages which require deep thought for good comprehension. However, how these rhetorical imageries can inspire the development of higher order thinking skills (HOTS) and religious tolerance among language learners, two necessary skills in the information-laden era, is still less known. This study explores how the Qurʾan’s figurative languages serve as an inspiring basis to develop Bloom’s revised taxonomy of analyzing and evaluating thinking skills in foreign language learning. Document analysis shows that many verses in Sura (Chapter) Joseph and other five chapters contain some simile, personification, and metaphor in recounting past prophetical and scientific events humans need to learn for life. Incorporated into learning materials, these figurative languages require the foreign language learners to use their skills of sensing, imagining, and making logical reasoning to discern the real meanings. The discussion of Sura Joseph in the Qurʾan which recounts some prophets of Abraham’s descendants can also increase religious tolerance among young followers of Abrahamic religions. The study recommends some strategies on how language teachers base their teaching and learning practices on these religious scriptures to develop students’ critical thinking and create a more harmonious global citizenship.


Author(s):  
Andrea Facchin

The neurological bimodality theory, espousing the principles of directionality and cerebral hemisphericity, has led to a series of expedients in the field of foreign language teaching, like the use of inductive strategies. Accordingly, this contribution focuses on a methodological proposal stemming from the aforementioned theoretical perspectives and tackles the question of reading in the early phase of Arabic as Foreign Language learning. In doing so it questions how to teach Modern Standard Arabic at beginner level and proposes solutions to it through the use of new technological tools in the service of languages. Specifically, the focus is set on Pre-A1 and A1 levels of the recently issued Companion Volume to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. As a result of theoretical reasoning, the ‘Whole-Part-Whole’ method teaching philosophy is presented, theorized and verified in relation to the study of Arabic by non-Arab beginner learners.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörg Roche ◽  
Ferran Suñer

Abstract Despite the need for transparency and efficiency in explaining grammatical features to learners of a foreign language only very few systematic attempts have been undertaken to demonstrate the pedagogical added value of concept-based approaches to grammar instruction. The purpose of the paper is (1) to discuss the theoretical underpinnings of such an approach, to (2) present relevant theories of multimedia learning and (3) to summarize some empirical evidence on the efficiency of such an approach to language teaching and learning. The concept-based animated grammar, developed for German, uses a broad range of cognitive linguistic principles for foreign language learning in such areas as, for example, modal verbs or the passive voice.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raniah Kabooha ◽  
Tariq Elyas

The present study sought to examine the improvement in vocabulary comprehension and retention of Saudi English as foreign language female students at King Abdul Aziz University as a result of integrating YouTube in their reading classes. The study also investigated the perceptions of both students as well as teachers towards the inclusion of YouTube on the development of vocabulary. One hundred female intermediate level students aged between 18-20 years old participated in the study. Students were divided into two groups: an experimental group who watched YouTube during the reading activities and a control group who was not exposed to the videos. Data were collected using pre-tests and post-tests in addition to questionnaires. The findings of the study reveal that the group who viewed the YouTube clips outperformed the group who was not exposed to YouTube videos in the posttest. The results clearly show that YouTube provided statistically significant effects on the students' vocabulary acquisition. The findings of the study indicate that the participants positively viewed the use of YouTube in their lessons. The findings also revealed significant improvement in the students’ vocabulary achievement. The implications of the findings are discussed within the context of foreign language learning and teaching.


2010 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Antón

Esta reseña presenta una visión general de los estudios sobre español como segunda lengua en contextos educativos. La temática y el ámbito geográfico es amplio a fin de captar la diversidad de alumnos y contextos de aprendizaje de español L2 a sólo dos décadas de que la enseñanza de este idioma adquiriera ímpetu a nivel global. Los alumnos tradicionales de segunda lengua o lengua extranjera, hablantes de herencia, inmigrantes y niños indígenas presentan una variedad de contextos de investigación que contribuye y expande las disciplinas de enseñanza y aprendizaje de segunda lengua/lengua extranjera, lingüística aplicada y sociolingüística. Siguiendo tendencias iniciadas en años anteriores en adquisición de segunda lengua, y en relación con investigaciones sobre otros idiomas, los temas principales en este periodo reciente han sido la adquisición y enseñanza del sistema lingüístico, procesos de aprendizaje y su contexto social. La reseña se organiza temáticamente según estas categorías principales.This review presents a broad picture of recent work on L2 Spanish1in educational contexts. The thematic and geographic scope of the review is wide, in order to capture the diversity of learners and learning contexts of L2 Spanish, just two decades after teaching and learning the language gained impetus worldwide. Traditional second or foreign language learners, heritage learners, immigrants and indigenous children provide a variety of contexts for research that builds on and expands the fields of second and foreign language learning and teaching, applied linguistics and sociolinguistics. Continuing the trend from previous years in SLA, and in connection with research on learners of other languages, main themes in this time period have been the acquisition and teaching of the language system, learning processes, and social contexts of learning. The review is organized thematically according to these main categories.


2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Boers ◽  
Stuart Webb

Perhaps the greatest challenge to creating a research timeline on teaching and learning collocation is deciding how wide to cast the net in the search for relevant publications. For one thing, the term ‘collocation’ does not have the same meaning for all (applied) linguists and practitioners (Barfield & Gyllstad 2009) (see timeline). For another, items that are labelled as collocations in one study may be called something else in another study (Wray 2000: 465).


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-606
Author(s):  
Raees Calafato

To boost the foreign language learning process, language teachers need to know how to implement a multilingual pedagogy, that is, they should be able to draw on their and their students’ knowledge of other languages during lessons. This qualitative study explored the extent to which 21 foreign language teachers in Norwegian and Russian upper-secondary schools were willing and able to implement multilingual teaching practices and the factors that they thought affected this implementation. The findings revealed three main factors, namely, their language knowledge, their positioning as language learners, and the level of support they received, which the participants reported as strongly influencing the extent to which they were able and willing to draw on their and their students’ multilingualism as a pedagogical resource. The findings also indicated that participants did not implement multilingual teaching practices differently based on the languages they taught, although there were differences between the participants from Norway and Russia concerning the teaching of English. The study has important implications for research on language teaching and learning in multilingual environments, educational institutions, and teacher development programs.


2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (1-2 (2)) ◽  
pp. 101-105
Author(s):  
Mariana Karapetyan

While developing foreign language teaching methods for adult students aged 17-20, it is necessary to take into account not only teaching and learning related issues, but also a number of principles which are connected with adult teaching. The article discusses a set of issues connected with foreign language teaching methodology with view of not only the specific features of the foreign language teaching methods for adults but also the theories that attach importance to the factor of emotions in the teaching process. The article attempts to combine a foreign language teaching and learning with the theory of game. The aim of the research is to reveal how games contribute to the improvement of foreign language teaching and learning.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-65
Author(s):  
David Felipe Espinosa Torres ◽  
Iván Camilo González Bejarano ◽  
Juliana Moreno Restrepo

Feedback is a powerful tool that has a significant influence on student success. Its meaningful impact on learning and teaching processes has been well-documented. However, there is minimal research concerning the impact of feedback strategies on foreign language learning. This article seeks to provide a theoretical and practical understanding of the impact of feedback on foreign language teaching and learning processes. This is done through a case study research conducted in a private institution in Bogotá, Colombia. The evidence demonstrates that the feedback strategies used and the manner in which they are administered influence their effectiveness. Three main strategies were observed and analyzed: corrective, motivational, and developmental. This article concludes with a suggestion to make feedback an explicit policy of teachers’ education programs in the country.


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