scholarly journals Integrating Machine Translation Into EFL Writing Instruction: Process, Product and Perception

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-137
Author(s):  
Jian Wang ◽  
Xinli Ke

Although there is a great demand for machine translation (MT) among language learners, its potentials as a computer-assisted language learning aid remain under-explored. Against this backdrop, this study adopted a mixed research method and conducted a semester-long empirical investigation into how EFL learners in mainland China used MT to assist their writing, whether MT helped improve their writing competence and how they perceived MT in EFL writing instruction. The major findings comprise: 1) By using MT students made more lexical and grammatical changes in essay revision; 2) MT helped improve the learners’ overall writing competence, and particularly had a greater effect on writing accuracy and lexical complexity than on other dimensions; 3) Students generally held a positive attitude towards incorporating MT into EFL writing instruction.

2009 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol A. Chapelle

This paper argues that the vertical spread of computer-assisted language learning (CALL), i.e., a spread throughout language materials and curricula, makes it difficult to draw a clear distinction between CALL and other language materials. In view of the emphasis that teachers, researchers, and administrators have placed on evaluating CALL, I argue that some valuable lessons about materials evaluation can be drawn from reflection on issues in CALL evaluation. In particular, I discuss the opportunities for professionals to reconsider assumptions held about comparative research, draw upon research perspectives and methods from applied linguistics in materials evaluation, and include critical perspectives which examine the opportunities that materials offer language learners to engage in language and culture learning.


Author(s):  
Nilüfer Bekleyen ◽  
Serkan Çelik

The present study focuses on the attitudes of adult language learners towards an Internet-based computer program designed to prepare the users for a language test. The participants were the attendees of a YDS (National Foreign Language Examination offered by the Turkish Council of Higher Education) preparation course which was conducted at a state university in Turkey. Sixty participants contributed to the study. Their attitudes towards Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) were measured via two different instruments: a questionnaire and an interview. The results indicated that lower level learners had significantly better attitudes towards CALL compared to higher level learners. In general, the participants found computers to be more interesting, motivating and encouraging but did not consider the traditional classroom teaching substitutable with CALL. The findings revealed no significant changes pertaining to the participants' attitudes towards CALL after their language learning experience with computers for four months.


2003 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 91-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeong-Bae Son

This article reports the results of a study conducted to examine the use of three different reading text formats: paper-based format (PF), computerbased non-hypertext format (NHF), and computer-based hypertext format (HF). It investigates foreign language learners’ reactions to the three text formats, focusing particularly on the usefulness of hyperlinks in computermediated text to provide readers with optional assistance during independent reading. Data collected from an interview with a group of Korean as a foreign language (KFL) students are presented and discussed. The results of this study show that the students considered the use of hyperlinks to be helpful and useful for their learning and suggest that it is important to look at the way in which reading materials and supporting information are presented when designing or selecting computer-assisted language learning (CALL) programs.


ReCALL ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt Kohn

Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) addresses the specific needs of second language learners and tutors in computer-based learning and training environments. While traditional CALL applications were mainly focused on narrowly defined and isolated solutions for vocabulary training, text manipulation, dialogue practice and grammar exercises, recent developments in multimedia telematics, involving the integration of multimedia processing and distance communication, have significantly increased the potential of computer technologies for the purposes of language learning and training.


Author(s):  
M. Ali Ghufron ◽  
Fitri Nurdianingsih

This study revealed the strengths, weaknesses, and effectiveness of the flipped classroom with CALL in EFL writing class. A mixed-method approach was used to achieve the goals of the study. An embedded quasi-experimental methodology design was used to achieve the aims of this study (i.e., quantitative and qualitative data analysis). There were a hundred and fifty Indonesian EFL university learners who participated in this study. This study also involved 14 EFL writing teachers who experienced implementing the flipped classroom with CALL from five universities. The results of this study revealed that a flipped classroom with CALL in EFL writing class has many advantages, such as stimulating learner autonomy, improving teaching and learning processes, providing more time for EFL writing and input during face-to-face meetings, promoting active learning, student learning responsibility, and peer collaboration. Besides, some drawbacks were also found from its implementation. However, implementing the flipped classroom in the current study positively affects the EFL writing course. This study implies that teachers can include online resources such as videos from reputable sources or make their videos as learning materials if possible.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 439
Author(s):  
Zhenyu Yang

In this era of digital technology, time and place no longer limit access to information, communication, and learning. Following the trend and popularity of CALL (Computer-assisted Language Learning), MALL (Mobile-assisted Language Learning) is gaining increasing attention and application. Many teachers as well as language learners turn to these mobile devices for various language learning purposes due to easy access to resources, convenience, and less language anxiety. Despite the comprehensive functions and sophisticated devices, a high percentage of learners still lag behind and even give up the apps after some time of use. Some research shows that the unsuccessful learners’ lack of motivation constitutes a major hinderance in their self-regulated learning. This study tries to analyze an important component in learners’ motivation, that is self-efficacy (especially computer self-efficacy), and seek for good solutions to the current problems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-09
Author(s):  
Ali Jahangard ◽  
Ali Rahimi ◽  
Maral Norouzizadeh

This study aimed to assess the attitudes and perceptions of English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) students towards the use of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) programs and their perceived view on an online writing system that was developed in the present study by means of a questionnaire as well as an asynchronous discussion forum. An online writing system was developed and a sample of 30 EFL learners, studying at Sharif University of Technology in Iran, was assigned to the study. The CALL attitudes of the participants were assessed by a CALL questionnaire, which indicated that Iranian students attached a high value to CALL. Moreover, the comments of the participants that were posted on a discussion forum were analysed with the aid of Henri’s framework (1992), which revealed the presence of certain concepts and themes within the views of learners towards the use of computers in their educational settings.   Keywords: Computer-assisted instruction (CAI), computer-assisted language learning (CALL), EFL writing, student attitudes.


Author(s):  
Elżbieta Gajek

Crowdsourcing not only opens new perspectives within the general concept of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), but also raises questions about ethics, motivation, and fair contribution. Technology offers platforms such as Duolingo, Bussu, and Babbel for learning languages with active contribution of the learners. Such applications reach millions of users. Thus, there is a need for initiatives to explore the potential of crowdsourcing for language learning. One of them is enetCollect CA16105 Combining Language Learning with Crowdsourcing Techniques, which is a European project within COST action. The aim of this paper is to disseminate the project’s ideas as well as present some results of the research done by the author as her contribution to the project activities. The findings show that language learners are not heavy gamers and the feedback they receive is the strongest motivational factor towards crowdourcing.


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