A critical review of research and practice in data-driven learning (DDL) in the academic writing classroom

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meilin Chen ◽  
John Flowerdew

Abstract Since the late 1980s, there has been a growing interest in the direct application of corpora, or data-driven learning (DDL), in language education. This relatively novel teaching approach has been particularly applied in the teaching and learning of English for Academic Purposes (EAP)/academic writing, especially since the turn of the century. This paper synthesizes and evaluates the research progress in the field of EAP/academic writing since the year 2000 by critically reviewing 37 empirical studies focussing on applications of DDL in this context. Based on the critical review and a discussion of some contentious issues, a set of five recommendations for the way forward in DDL research and practice for EAP/academic writing is presented.

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 234-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sthephanny Moncada Linares ◽  
Zhi-Ying Xin

The purpose of the present paper is to offer a state-of-the-art review on the topic of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) and its theoretical and practical implications on the field of language education, being the former widely recognized due to its potentiality to encourage both reflection and action for the participants involved. Recent empirical studies were located and thoroughly reviewed, which shed light on the three most researched areas including text analysis and literacy intervention, classroom discourse, and the language teaching and learning processes. As a final remark and taking into account the literature analysis, some prospective studies are briefly proposed.  


2020 ◽  
pp. 40-57
Author(s):  
Olga Ilchenko ◽  
Natalia Kramar

English language education, especially in light of the status of English as present-day lingua franca, has become a prolific field of research, and no less prolific area of practical application internationally. Through a critical literature review, the current study addresses one of its most prominent subfields – English for Academic Purposes – with special emphasis on academic writing. We briefly touch upon its evolution and identify the terminological ambiguities involved in EAP conceptualization within the broader framework of ESP (English for Specific Purposes). By examining the changes that academic English is undergoing today due to the overwhelming influence of L2 speakers’ varieties (termed “similects” by Anna Mauranen), we elucidate how English as a Lingua Franca movement can benefit and enrich EAP pedagogic practice. We also discuss how EAP fits within the latest CEFR guidelines, paying close attention to mediating skills, critical thinking and integrative thinking skills, which, as we argue, need to be more extensively incorporated into academic writing instruction. We discuss the rationale and the methodological principles of English for Research Publication Purposes as a new offshoot of EAP, which combines genre-based instruction with the exploration of multiple non-linguistic issues, involved in academic publishing, such as interaction with editors and gatekeepers, choosing a suitable journal, navigating the review process. We hope to demonstrate that EAP teaching, and especially academic writing instruction, is in need of major revision to overcome the yawning gap that currently exists between theory and practice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Ahdab Saaty

The article argues that the Aristotelian appeals (logos, ethos, and pathos) can be taught through the use of Twitter as an educational tool to build connections between everyday informal writing on social media and academic writing. It highlights the utilization of Twitter in English second/foreign language (ESL/EFL) educational settings for supporting learners’ rhetorical awareness and understanding of different writing genres. The main purpose of this article is to provide pedagogical implications and future research potentials on the use of Twitter in ESL/EFL educational settings. The Aristotelian appeals are discussed as the framework for the analysis of Twitter’s content in ESL/EFL educational contexts. In this regard, this research question is addressed: How can Twitter serve as a tool for teaching the fundamentals of writing competency in terms of the Aristotelian appeals (logos, ethos, and pathos) in ESL/EFL educational settings? To explore the current state of research and inform future studies, the researcher reviews selected academic articles on the use of Twitter in ESL/EFL language classes. All articles were accessed using Google Scholar, ERIC, and ProQuest databases. The researcher examines empirical studies published in peer-reviewed journals as well as non-empirical studies. This article addresses Twitter users’ constructions of logos, ethos, and pathos, and presents some of the accessible characteristics of Twitter. Also, it briefly provides pedagogical implications of understanding the Aristotelian appeals through Twitter in ESL/EFL educational contexts that can support the teaching and learning processes. Lastly, the researcher proposes potential research directions for Twitter use in ESL/EFL educational settings.


Neofilolog ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 153-172
Author(s):  
Mirosław Pawlak

Over the last decade or so, mainly under the influence of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, it has been assumed, often entirely uncritically, that the key goals of foreign language peda-gogy should be the development of multilingualism and multicultural-ism. Although these goals are barely mentioned in the current core cur-riculum and they do not really find a reflection in coursebooks or every-day teaching practice, the pedagogical recommendations stemming from numerous conference presentations, research studies or methodology textbooks for pre-service and in-service teachers indicate that such a sit-uation should be subject to change because it is not sufficiently reflective of the latest theoretical proposals. A question arises, however, to what extent these goals can in fact be accomplished in our educational context in which additional languages are taught and learned as foreign rather than second, and, despite increasing opportunities in this respect, out-of-school contact with such languages is often still very limited. The pa-per aims to address this question, mainly focusing on the difficulties in-volved in fostering multilingualism and multiculturalism, both with re-spect to the relevant regulations concerning language education in Po-land, everyday realities of foreign language teaching and learning, the limitations of teacher training as well as problems involved in conducting empirical studies.


2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-126
Author(s):  
Karen Sanderson Cole ◽  
Danielle Watson

Peer evaluation, as a learning strategy, is commonly used among educators in an attempt to promote higher performance goals and improved teaching and learning outcomes through the sharing of complementary proficiencies for a familiar intent. It is commonly viewed as a technique for raising the bar' through exposing educators to alternative perspectives. Within the online learning environment, there is a high degree of isolation among educators involved in the delivery of the same course. Although individuals interact in established teacher forums about administrative issues, a forum is not provided where interaction about teaching content, delivery and conceptualization of critical concepts can be explored and discussed. As such, the provision of a forum for collaboration among peers involved in different aspects of course delivery within the online learning environment is believed to address the issue of isolated instruction while also providing support and evaluation as to the effectiveness of teaching strategies employed. The aim of the research is to investigate the impact of an established peer partnership between 14 colleagues working in pairs geared towards assessing feedback and discussions on lesson planning, execution and assessment processes. It seeks to ascertain its usefulness as a strategy to be incorporated into the teaching of English for Academic Purposes within an online learning environment. The study seeks to provide actionable direction for peer evaluation and collaboration, as a teaching and learning tool, through the mapping, assessing and evaluation of the processes involved.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 580-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Bruce ◽  
P. K. Coffer ◽  
S. Rees ◽  
J. M. Robson

Many undergraduate students find the production of an extended piece of academic writing challenging. This challenge is more acute in the sciences where production of extended texts is infrequent throughout undergraduate studies. This paper reports the development of a new English for Academic Purposes (EAP) workshop and associated resources for third year undergraduate chemists to support their dissertation module. The workshop is designed to utilise a searchable database of student texts (a corpus) developed as part of the FOCUS project at Durham University. This novel use of data-driven learning (DDL), common in second language pedagogy, transfers well to the chemistry classroom as the processes of research and discovery (of words rather than chemicals) involved in DDL parallel similar processes in chemistry research. Our workshop and online consolidation activities have been positively evaluated by both staff and our current cohort of students. The project is being rolled out across other departments at Durham as well as the corpus tool being utilised at other UK HEIs. This corpus-based approach to academic writing in chemistry offers a unique perspective on the interplay between language and scientific literacy.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Beata Lewis Sevcikova

In the last 30 years, numerous scholars have described the possible changes in marking writingassignments. The paper reflects these developments as it charts the paths recently taken in the field, evaluates automated and human essay scoring systems in academic environments and analyzes the implications that both systems offer. In recent years, ways and opportunities for giving feedback have changed as computer programs have been more widely used in assessing students writing. Numerous researchers have studied computerized feedback and its potential. Different problems, such as quality of this type of feedback, validity, and reliability have been analyzed. This critical review examines two major types of academic writing support. The objective of the study based on the literature review is to examine the potential support of human and automated proofreaders for teaching and learning purposes.


Neofilolog ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 137-151
Author(s):  
Magdalena Aleksandrzak

In recent years English for academic purposes (EAP) has become one of the mainstream fields of practice, study and research within language education, mainly due to the position of English as the international language of higher education and scientific research. The paper briefly examines the main assumptions of the approach in the context of its links to ESP (English for specific purposes), systemic functional linguistics and new literacy studies. However, the main focus of the present discussion is on genre-based pedagogy as the leading framework and an important point of reference for EAP education. To illustrate this perspective within the field, the notion of genre and its interpretations in foreign language teaching are discussed. Finally, two closely related academic genres – discussion and debate – are explored with the aim of indicating their potential benefits, areas of difficulty and challenges for students and teachers in the EAP classroom.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-259
Author(s):  
Marleiny Radjuni

In this digitized era, English as a Foreign Languag (EFL) teachers in Indonesia, as in many other countries are anxious to exploit the potential of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance the teaching and learning process. Given the increasing pressure exerted by technological developments on language education, it is important to understand the underlying factors behind teachers’ decisions regarding ICT. Regarding this matter, this study investigates the development as well as the effects of ICT applied in English Department in teaching and learning process. The use of weblog is being applied in the Academic Writing classes for a couple of years now. Students are equipped with the method of teaching through blog. So far, the use of ICT in the classroom often part of a teacher-centered class but it is easy to exploit these tools in learner-centered activities. For this particular case, students have freedom to control themselves in using the internet technology, even though it is still under teachers instructions. The method applied in this study is combination of the qualitative and quantitative. Evidence has been collected through a literature search, students questionnaires and semi interviews designed. The factors which was found to be most importans to these students were; having the lesson more interesting, easier, more fun for them, more diverse, more enjoyable and on top of that is more motivating.


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