The Impact of Immersive Virtual Reality on EFL Learners’ Listening Comprehension

2021 ◽  
pp. 073563312199429
Author(s):  
Tzu-Yu Tai ◽  
Howard Hao-Jan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Seventh Graders ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Head Mounted Displays ◽  
Virtual Presence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Comprehension Tests

Virtual reality via mobile-rendered head-mounted displays (MVR) has emerged as a valuable language learning tool. However, research has yet to fully access its effects on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) listening. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of MVR on EFL learners’ listening comprehension. Seventy-two seventh graders in Taiwan were recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental (MVR player) or control (video watcher) group. The MVR players played the language learning VR app Mondly, using a mobile-rendered head-mounted display. The video watchers watched a walkthrough video of Mondly on a PC screen. Listening comprehension tests, a presence questionnaire and interviews were used to evaluate the participants’ listening comprehension, sense of presence, and perception of MVR-assisted EFL listening. The results showed the MVR players’ listening comprehension and retention was significantly higher than the video watchers’. The interviews revealed that the majority of the MVR players found MVR-assisted EFL listening engaging and beneficial. MVR offered learners access to simulated, interactive, and immersive virtual environments to perform authentic learning activities, helping them activate prior knowledge and make appropriate inferences. Furthermore, virtual presence in MVR brought learner involvement from the fringe to the center, prevented cognitive overload, reduced anxiety, and thus aided comprehension.

THE EFFECT OF METACOGNITIVE INSTRUCTION ON MAXIMIZING EFL LEARNERS’ METACOGNITIVE AWARENESS IN LISTENING

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-17
Author(s):  
Mahsa Assadi
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Research ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Metacognitive Awareness ◽  
Listening Test ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Metacognitive Instruction ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Comprehension Ability ◽  
The Impact

This study reports a pre-experimental research on the impact of metacognitive instruction on EFL learners’ metacognitive awareness and their listening performance. To obtain the goal of the study, a group of 30 Iranian intermediate EFL learners, including 14 males and 16 females, were selected randomly. Their ages range from 20 to 24. The participants took part in 16 weeks’ intervention program based on metacognitive pedagogical sequence consisted of five stages. The metacognitive awareness listening questionnaire (MALQ), and a listening test were also used to find changes in metacognitive awareness and listening performance before and after the treatment. The results of comparing pre and posttests scores revealed that metacognitive instruction raised the learners’ metacognitive awareness and helped them improve their listening comprehension ability.

scholarly journals Gamification and Hazard Communication in Virtual Reality: A Qualitative Study

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4663
Author(s):  
Janaina Cavalcanti ◽  
Victor Valls ◽  
Manuel Contero ◽  
David Fonseca
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Training Environment ◽  
Hazard Communication ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Compliance Behavior ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Recorded Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Levels

An effective warning attracts attention, elicits knowledge, and enables compliance behavior. Game mechanics, which are directly linked to human desires, stand out as training, evaluation, and improvement tools. Immersive virtual reality (VR) facilitates training without risk to participants, evaluates the impact of an incorrect action/decision, and creates a smart training environment. The present study analyzes the user experience in a gamified virtual environment of risks using the HTC Vive head-mounted display. The game was developed in the Unreal game engine and consisted of a walk-through maze composed of evident dangers and different signaling variables while user action data were recorded. To demonstrate which aspects provide better interaction, experience, perception and memory, three different warning configurations (dynamic, static and smart) and two different levels of danger (low and high) were presented. To properly assess the impact of the experience, we conducted a survey about personality and knowledge before and after using the game. We proceeded with the qualitative approach by using questions in a bipolar laddering assessment that was compared with the recorded data during the game. The findings indicate that when users are engaged in VR, they tend to test the consequences of their actions rather than maintaining safety. The results also reveal that textual signal variables are not accessed when users are faced with the stress factor of time. Progress is needed in implementing new technologies for warnings and advance notifications to improve the evaluation of human behavior in virtual environments of high-risk surroundings.

Captions and reduced forms instruction: The impact on EFL students’ listening comprehension

ReCALL ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Chi Yang ◽  
Peichin Chang
Keyword(s):  
Language Learners ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Limited Capacity ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Reduced Forms

AbstractFor many EFL learners, listening poses a grave challenge. The difficulty in segmenting a stream of speech and limited capacity in short-term memory are common weaknesses for language learners. Specifically, reduced forms, which frequently appear in authentic informal conversations, compound the challenges in listening comprehension. Numerous interventions have been implemented to assist EFL language learners, and of these, the application of captions has been found highly effective in promoting learning. Few studies have examined how different modes of captions may enhance listening comprehension. This study proposes three modes of captions: full, keyword-only, and annotated keyword captions and investigates their contribution to the learning of reduced forms and overall listening comprehension. Forty-four EFL university students participated in the study and were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. The results revealed that all three groups exhibited improvement on the pre-test while the annotated keyword caption group exhibited the best performance with the highest mean score. Comparing performances between groups, the annotated keyword caption group also emulated both the full caption and the keyword-only caption groups, particularly in the ability to recognize reduced forms. The study sheds light on the potential of annotated keyword captions in enhancing reduced forms learning and overall listening comprehension.

scholarly journals The effect of Bilingualism on EFL elementary learners’ listening comprehension: The case of Azeri- Turkish vs. Persian students

2020 ◽  
pp. 44-64
Author(s):  
Ali ARABMOFRAD ◽  
Majid SAEIDI ◽  
Mohammad MOTAMEDI
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Elementary Students ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Proficiency Test ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Listening Skill ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Multicultural Context ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Since the phenomenon of bilingualism is gradually increasing in the world, the theory-driven and practically oriented investigation on bilingualism have increased recently. However, a few studies have been conducted on the effect of bilingualism on language learning in the multilingual and multicultural context of Iran. Therefore, the main aim of the present study is to examine the effect of bilingualism on Iranian EFL learners' listening comprehension in the case of Azeri-Turkish vs. Persian students. The study employed a quasi-experimental design over 8 weeks with 44 female students assigned to one of the two experimental groups. To select bilingual and monolingual groups, a biographical questionnaire was used. Then, Nelson elementary proficiency test was administered to ensure the homogeneity of the students. To fulfill the purpose of the study, 15 bilingual (Azeri-Persian) elementary students in Fazilat high school in Ramian and 29 monolingual (Persian) elementary students in Sama high school in Azadshahr were selected to participate in the present study. Each group received 16 sessions of treatment in listening skill. Then, the two groups' performance was compared on pretest and posttest consisting of a multiple-choice and matching listening comprehension test. The results indicated that there was no significant difference between the bilingual and monolingual groups regarding their performance on listening comprehension, that is, bilingualism did not affect listening comprehension.

Development of a Low-Cost Augmented Reality Head-Mounted Display Prototype

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Thiago D'Angelo ◽  
Saul Emanuel Delabrida Silva ◽  
Ricardo A. R. Oliveira ◽  
Antonio A. F. Loureiro
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Augmented Reality ◽  
User Experience ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
User Interaction ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Time Performance ◽  
Work Tasks ◽  
Head Mounted Displays

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) have been emerging in the last years. These technologies sound like the new hot topic for the next years. Head-Mounted Displays have been developed for many different purposes. Users have the opportunity to enjoy these technologies for entertainment, work tasks, and many other daily activities. Despite the recent release of many AR and VR HMDs, two major problems are hindering the AR HMDs from reaching the mainstream market: the extremely high costs and the user experience issues. In order to minimize these problems, we have developed an AR HMD prototype based on a smartphone and on other low-cost materials. The prototype is capable of running Eye Tracking algorithms, which can be used to improve user interaction and user experience. To assess our AR HMD prototype, we choose a state-of-the-art method for eye center location found in the literature and evaluate its real-time performance in different development boards.

Towards Usable Collaborative Virtual Reality Environments for Promoting Listening Comprehension

2011 ◽  
pp. 386-411
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Garcia-Ruiz ◽  
Arthur Edwards ◽  
Raul Aquino-Santos ◽  
Jay Shiro Tashiro ◽  
Bill Kapralos
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Qualitative Description ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Collaborative Virtual Reality ◽  
Future Work

This chapter investigates whether an educational virtual environment can be developed to practice listening comprehension skills that meets second language student needs, complies with usability criteria, and is motivating to use. The chapter also investigates whether the usability of virtual reality(VR) technology positively affects language learning listening comprehension. It provides background research and information in Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), VR, and second language methodology. It then presents a technical and qualitative description of Realtown, a virtual environment designed to promote listening comprehension. This chapter also describes a usability study of Realtown. Student errors, motivation, and ease of use, among other features, were positively measured on listening comprehension activities in Realtown. Future work includes longitudinal studies on learning issues, first-person, and collaborative experiences in VR, including the impact of VR on learning and knowledge transfer when combined with traditional instruction.

The interplay of avatar identities, self-efficacy, and language practices

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Chen
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Language Practices ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This study intends to examine English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ attitudes toward practicing English in Second Life (SL) and to unpack the effects of avatar identities on EFL learners’ sense of self-efficacy and language practices. Nine EFL learners worldwide participated in a task-based course in SL, using avatars to carry out SL-related tasks while interacting with peers and the teacher via voice chat. Qualitative data were triangulated from multiple sources: learner reflective journals, a post-course survey, and semi-structured interviews. Three major themes emerged: (1) the effects of masked identity on learning, (2) the impact of telepresence and copresence on learning, and (3) the perceived attitudes toward avatar affinity. Findings implicate that the avatar form renders masked identities to safeguard learners’ self-efficacy and empower their language practices. It also opens up a research avenue on the impact of avatar identities on language learning and teaching in 3D virtual environments.

Exploring EFL Learners' Preferences, Perceived Needs, and Perceptions about Language Learning Strategies

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 1128
Author(s):  
Maryam Alsadat Mortazavi ◽  
Hamed Barjesteh
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Language Experience ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Perceived Needs ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

This study was to investigate the impact of language experience and academic level on the perceived needs of Iranian undergraduate EFL learners. Two groups of Iranian TEFL female students (freshmen and senior) were compared regarding their preferences, perceived needs and perceptions of different activity types about language learning. To collect data, Sihong's (2007) needs analysis questionnaire for English language needs was utilized. Thirty two freshman and twenty nine senior MA students with the age range of 25-35 were considered as the subject of this study. They were asked to fill out the questionnaire through email and they were given the confidence that the collected data would remain anonymous. Results revealed that there was a significant difference between freshman and senior EFL learners in their preferences, needs and opinions about various types of activities, and various aspects of language education. The findings also revealed that freshmen students required more practice in grammar and pronunciation than vocabulary for them. The most difficult components of language were pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar respectively; however, the senior students reported that vocabulary and grammar were the most difficult component of language skill and pronunciation was the least one.

scholarly journals The Effect of Dictogloss on Listening Comprehension: Focus on Metacognitive Strategies and Gender

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Mina Taheri ◽  
Saeed Taki
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Metacognitive Strategies ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Listening Strategies ◽  
Experimental Group

This study aimed at investigating the effect of dictogloss on EFL learners’ listening comprehension as well as on their use of metacognitive listening strategies with a focus on the effects on male and female learners. To this end, a total number of 50 female and male Iranian EFL learners, aged between 12 and 15 years old, at the intermediate proficiency level in a private language school in Iran were selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups with 25 male and female learners in each group. Dictogloss was employed to teach the learners in the experimental group for an instruction period of 12 sessions. Participants’ listening comprehension was determined through a pre/posttest which was adapted from the listening section of the standard test of PET and their use of metacognitive listening strategies via the MALQ, a questionnaire developed by Vandergrift et al. (2006). The data obtained were submitted to the t-test and results revealed significant improvement in the experimental group’s listening comprehension with no significant difference between male and female learners. Finally, the results showed that the listeners in the experimental group made noticeable gains in their choice of metacognitive strategies through using the dictogloss technique.  Findings are discussed in light of recent theories of language learning and teaching.  

scholarly journals The Impact of Mobile Game-Based Language Learning Apps on EFL Learners’ Motivation

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nada Gamlo
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Game Based Learning ◽  
Learner Motivation ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Mobile Game ◽  
Perceptions Of Students ◽  
King Abdulaziz University ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Period Data ◽  
The Impact

This study examines the effect of integrating mobile-game based language learning applications (MGBLLAs) on Saudi female English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students’ motivation to learn English. It explores the perceptions of students regarding the pedagogical value of the following free MGBLLAs: Game books: Great Reader, Game to learn English - EnglishTracker, and Learn English Vocabulary Pop Quiz. A group of thirty Saudi female beginner level students, aged from 18-20 years old and enrolled for their foundation year at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) participated in the study. The study was carried out over a seven week period. Data were collected using two questionnaires. A pre-MGBLLAs integration questionnaire was modified to determine students’ motivations for learning English. A post-MGBLLAs integration questionnaire designed by the author was also issued. It was utilized to explore the perceptions of students regarding the use of the three mobile game-based language learning apps, and to discover any impact on learner motivation. The results of the pre-MGBLLAs integration revealed that the EFL students were motivated to learn English. However, their motivation was high instrumental motivation, because it is taught as a compulsory course in their foundation year and they must achieve high scores to be able to start studying their preferred major. Significantly, the findings of the post-MGBLLAs integration questionnaire revealed that students perceived the three apps as beneficial for learning and improving motivation. These results contribute to the literature regarding mobile game based learning, and EFL students’ motivation.

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