scholarly journals The Effect of Writing Task and Task Conditions on Colombian EFL Learners’ Language Use

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim McDonough ◽  
César García Fuentes
Keyword(s):  
Language Use ◽  
Collaborative Writing ◽  
Writing Pedagogy ◽  
Problem Solution ◽  
Task Condition ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Classroom Study ◽  
Task Conditions ◽  
Writing Task ◽  
And Task

This classroom study examines whether English L2 writers’ language use differs depending on the writing task (operationalized as paragraph type), and task con- ditions (operationalized as individual or collaborative writing). The texts written by English L2 university students in Colombia (N = 26) in response to problem/ solution and cause/effect writing tasks were compared in terms of analytic ratings, use of target grammatical clauses, and accuracy. Approximately half of the students wrote individually while the other half collaborated in pairs. Results indicated that the writing task was a significant factor, with cause/effect para- graphs rated higher and having more target clauses than the problem/solution paragraphs. Task condition was also a significant factor, with collaborative texts more accurate than individual texts. Implications for L2 writing pedagogy are highlighted. Cette étude s’est déroulée dans une salle de classe et a examiné dans quelle mesure l’utilisation de la langue par des étudiants d’ALS varie selon la tâche d’écri- ture (types de paragraphe) et les conditions de la tâche (travail individuel ou en groupe). Des étudiants d’ALS dans une université en Colombie (N=26) ont rédigé des textes cause-effet et problème-solution. Nous avons comparé leurs textes en fonction d’éléments analytiques, de l’emploi de propositions grammaticales ciblées et de l’exactitude. Environ la moitié des étudiants ont écrit de façon individuelle; les autres ont rédigé en groupe. Les résultats indiquent que la tâche d’écriture constitue un facteur significatif, les paragraphes cause-effet ayant reçu de meil- leures évaluations et comportant plus de propositions ciblées que les paragraphes problème-solution. Les conditions de la tâche se sont aussi avérées être un facteur significatif, les textes collaboratifs étant plus précis que les textes écrits individuel- lement. Les implications pour l’enseignement de l’écriture en L2 sont exposées. 

Child EFL learners’ attitudes towards a collaborative writing task

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-72
Author(s):  
Asier Calzada ◽  
María del Pilar García Mayo
Keyword(s):  
Small Groups ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Collaborative Writing ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Attitude Questionnaire ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Young Learners ◽  
L1 And L2 Writing ◽  
L1 And L2 ◽  
Writing Task

Abstract The way learners engage with tasks can crucially impact on learning opportunities and, therefore, more attention is now being devoted to task affect. This study examines the attitudes of an underresearched population, child EFL learners, towards a collaborative dictogloss task. Thirty-two Spanish EFL children (ages 11–12) completed the task in pairs and small groups at their school, and an attitude questionnaire one week after. Results show that learners had a positive attitude towards L1 and L2 writing, collaboration in the classroom, and the task itself, regardless of their grouping condition. Although these children did not mention in their responses any explicit grammar gains as a result of the task, they considered the blend of the written and oral mode and the opportunities for peer assistance to be beneficial. These results are encouraging for the promotion of collaborative writing tasks with young learners in communicative contexts.

scholarly journals The variance of lexical diversity profiles and its relationship to learning style

2014 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Booth
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Dynamic Systems ◽  
Dynamic Systems Theory ◽  
Lexical Diversity ◽  
Approximate Relationship ◽  
Task Conditions ◽  
Diversity Profiles ◽  
Writing Task ◽  
And Task

AbstractStudies in lexical diversity have shown an approximate relationship with learner instruction. Learners with more L2 instruction tend to display less repetition of words and so greater lexical diversity. However, at higher L2 levels of proficiency this relationship does not always occur. This study examines the lexical diversity scores in L2 texts. Lexical diversity scores are examined in relationship to a learning style framework of memory and analysis. The results show that variance in analytic ability scores can account for a proportion of variance in lexical diversity. It was also found that the type of writing task also affects lexical diversity. These results suggest that learners who are more grammatically able may be more likely to restructure their language. The findings illuminate Dynamic Systems Theory; in particular, how lexical diversity is shaped to some extent by differences within individuals and task conditions.

Effects of Concurrent Manual Task Performance on Connected Speech Acoustics in Individuals With Parkinson Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
pp. 2099-2117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason A. Whitfield ◽  
Zoe Kriegel ◽  
Adam M. Fullenkamp ◽  
Daryush D. Mehta
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Speech Production ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Motor Task ◽  
Task Condition ◽  
Connected Speech ◽  
Speech Acoustics ◽  
Single Task ◽  
Manual Task ◽  
Task Conditions

Purpose Prior investigations suggest that simultaneous performance of more than 1 motor-oriented task may exacerbate speech motor deficits in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the extent to which performing a low-demand manual task affected the connected speech in individuals with and without PD. Method Individuals with PD and neurologically healthy controls performed speech tasks (reading and extemporaneous speech tasks) and an oscillatory manual task (a counterclockwise circle-drawing task) in isolation (single-task condition) and concurrently (dual-task condition). Results Relative to speech task performance, no changes in speech acoustics were observed for either group when the low-demand motor task was performed with the concurrent reading tasks. Speakers with PD exhibited a significant decrease in pause duration between the single-task (speech only) and dual-task conditions for the extemporaneous speech task, whereas control participants did not exhibit changes in any speech production variable between the single- and dual-task conditions. Conclusions Overall, there were little to no changes in speech production when a low-demand oscillatory motor task was performed with concurrent reading. For the extemporaneous task, however, individuals with PD exhibited significant changes when the speech and manual tasks were performed concurrently, a pattern that was not observed for control speakers. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.8637008

Improving EFL learners' pragmatic awareness

2003 ◽  
Vol 141-142 ◽  
pp. 199-223
Author(s):  
Seran Doğançay-Aktuna
Keyword(s):  
Language Use ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Effective Communication ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
Main Claim ◽  
Advanced Level ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Linguistic Resources ◽  
Pragmatic Awareness ◽  
Language Classrooms

This paper overviews the ways in which EFL learners' pragmatic awareness can be developed in language classrooms through focused instruction and practice. It argues that effective communication requires awareness of the conventions governing language use and attention to the characteristics of the context and the interlocutors, besides linguistic resources. The main claim is that even though some pragmatics data that is based on native speaker norms might not provide relevant models for learners of English as a foreign or international language, these learners still need to become aware of crosscultural variation in norms of language use and learn how to consider social and contextual factors surrounding effective communication. After defining pragmatic competence and transfer, the paper discusses possible ways for integrating pragmatic consciousness-raising into language teaching and the problems involved in this endeavour. It then describes a course designed to raise pragmatic awareness in advanced level EFL learners as part of their TEFL training program. The underlying principles, materials and sample activities of the course are presented and learners' reaction to the course is discussed.

scholarly journals Effect of Collaborative Writing Combined with Blog Online Learning on Indonesian EFL Learners’ Writing Skill across Motivation

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-98
Author(s):  
Rizki Anugrah Putri Rahayu
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Collaborative Writing ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Quantitative Data Analysis ◽  
Writing Skill ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
And Control ◽  
Different Levels

Abstract:   This study aims to investigate collaborative writing combined with blog online learning on the writing skill of Indonesian English foreign language (EFL) learners’ across their motivation. This research included a quasi experimental with the comparative time series. A quasi experimental study was employed by involving 61 learners of Senior High School. This research applied in into two groups: experimental and control. The treatment was conducted at 7 sessions, including the pre-test and post-test. The scores of pre-test and post-test in writing were used as a base of quantitative data analysis whereas the learners’ responses to motivation questionnaire were used to categorize their motivation. The result revealed that the collaborative writing combined with blog online learning on the writing was effective to enhance the learners’ writing skill. In addition, to apply the combination of collaborative writing and online blog learning, teacher should not worry about different levels of motivation among students where the students were motivated to use language.  

scholarly journals Online Collaborative Writing via Google Docs: Case Studies in the EFL Classroom

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 922-934
Author(s):  
Nakhon Kitjaroonchai ◽  
Suksan Suppasetseree
Keyword(s):  
Small Group ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Collaborative Writing ◽  
Interaction Patterns ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Google Docs ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Language Functions ◽  
Factors Influencing

This article reported a case study investigating small group interaction patterns in online collaborative writing tasks and factors influencing team collaborations. Participants included six Asian EFL university students who formed two small groups and were engaged in two online collaborative writing tasks via Google Docs. Data collection included the participants’ use of writing change functions and language functions during the collaborative writing processes revealed through Google Docs archives and collaborative essays. Semi-structured interviews were employed to examine factors influencing small group collaborations. The findings revealed that the two teams exhibited divergent interaction patterns, but the patterns of interaction remained consistent within each group across both tasks. The qualitative content analysis showed factors that affected team collaborations were individual goals, learners’ English proficiency, individual roles, and the use of collaborative agency. The findings may help elucidate the divergence of online collaborative writing and provide insightful information for instructors to design collaborative writing activities and assist EFL learners in the co-construction of writing tasks.

scholarly journals Task Based Learning (TBL) in EFL Classroom: from theory to practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 139-144
Author(s):  
Muhammad Badrus Sholeh ◽  
Sahril Nur ◽  
Kisman Salija
Keyword(s):  
Learning Process ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Learning Framework ◽  
Theory To Practice ◽  
Efl Teachers

Task-Based Learning (TBL) is one of the contemporary approaches, which has attracted a great deal of study in recent decades. It is a language education approach that offers students the opportunity to use authentic target language use by tasks. Task-Based Learning drives skill-based teaching and learning, engages students in the learning process, motivates and enhances student imagination. This paper focuses on some fundamental aspects of TBL in literature: (1) the task-based learning definition, (2) the task-based learning characteristics, (3) the task-based learning framework, (4) the task-based learning benefits, and (5) a proposed task-based learning practice for EFL learners. The paper gives useful suggestions to EFL teachers who have similar teaching strategies to help students meet such learning goals in their classrooms and continue positive TBL patterns in teaching and learning.

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