scholarly journals The Effect of Task Complexity and Task Conditions on Foreign Language Development and Performance. Three Empirical Studies.

2006 ◽  
Vol 152 ◽  
pp. 55-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lies Sercu ◽  
Lieve De Wachter ◽  
Elke Peters ◽  
Folkert Kuiken ◽  
Ineke Vedder
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Task Complexity ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Task Design ◽  
Capacity Model ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Task Conditions ◽  
And Task

Abstract It has been argued that tasks constitute a valid alternative unit to sequence the language learning process, as opposed to linguistically defined syllabuses. Implementing this claim presupposes that it is possible to assess the cognitive and linguistic demands of tasks, so that they can be sequenced in such a way that they optimally support and promote the L2 learning process. Knowing what demands a task will make opens up the possibility of using task design to manipulate the learner's attention between form and meaning in ways that may help interlanguage development. In this article, we present three empirical studies, which have tried to manipulate task complexity in order to study the effects of differing levels of task complexity on (L2) performance. We situate our studies within the Triadic Componential Framework for Task Design (TCFTD), elaborated by Robinson (1995; 2001; 2005) and interpret our findings in the light of two alternative theories, trying to explain effects on L2 performance arising from task manipulation, namely the Limited Attentional Capacity Model (Skehan & Foster 2001), and the Cognition Hypothesis (Robinson 2001; 2005). Apart from yielding evidence against or in favour of these theories, our studies demonstrate that manipulating L2 learners' attention while performing a task is anything but straightforward. The studies also illustrate how task conditions appear to interact with task complexity.

scholarly journals A Review of Foreign Language Enjoyment and Engagement

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yijun Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Related Literature ◽  
The Past

The introduction of positive psychology into foreign/second language learning has led to a multitude of novel theoretical and empirical studies. Foreign language enjoyment (FLE) is regarded as a response to the widely examined concept of classroom anxiety. The majority of these studies have investigated the effect of learners’ and teachers’ characteristics (Xie and Derakhshan, 2021) pertaining to FLE on learners’ academic achievement and their engagement in classroom tasks. Following a seminal study by Dewaele and MacIntyre (2014) and the development of the primary FLE scale, some researchers evaluated the extent of learners’ enjoyment in the language learning environment; these studies approved the effectiveness and prominence of FLE throughout the learning process. The present review is an attempt to review studies on FLE during the past two decades. The related literature confirms the significance and efficiency of promoting FLE in the classroom because it brings about higher levels of motivation and engagement among language learners and leads to prolonged success and achievement. A summary of the major efforts regarding this area of research is presented in this study.

Edmodo as an Assessment Tool in the Foreign Language Learning Process

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-215
Author(s):  
Flavia Kaba
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Foreign Language Anxiety ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
Secure Learning ◽  
Innovative Techniques

Abstract Due to the rapid developments in educational technology, today’s professors are in search of exploring innovative techniques in order to promote involvement of students in the learning process in general and in the foreign language learning process in particular. This is why today’s students are seen as digital-natives and being motivated for the learning process is very difficult if the modern technology they are familiar with is not utilized effectively in the classroom. When it comes to the assessment part of this process, the situation may become worse, as most of the students feel unwilling due to anxiety problems in general and foreign language anxiety in particular. This study presents an innovative way of assessing students’ skills that they gain during foreign language learning process introducing Edmodo, which is an educational social network that provides a secure learning platform for students and educators. This study is a descriptive one, based on the analyses, surveys, and opinions of different researchers that have implemented this platform in their teaching process. The main objective is to introduce the implementation of various assessment applications through Edmodo.

scholarly journals Strategy Instruction and Transfer in the EFL Classroom

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn L. Najar
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Strategy Instruction ◽  
Strategy Use ◽  
Mixed Design ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Learning Instruction ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
And Task

This study examines the generalizability of research in the areas of instruction; learning; and transfer of learning to the role these play in the area of the use of strategic competencies in foreign language contexts (FLC). While previous studies have tended towards a focus on learner variables, this study includes the conditions of applicability with a task that can impact learning and transfer as well. The contributions of both variables, learner and task, were investigated through note-taking strategy instruction and transfer, to ascertain the effect on reading comprehension of textual materials in the English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom. Learning was measured as a precursor to transfer. In order to investigate the role of instruction and transfer in the transfer of strategy use, a mixed design using both qualitative and quantitative approaches for design and analysis was used. Findings suggest that the relationship between instruction and transfer as represented by strategy use and task performance is a multidimensional one, and that there are implications for language learning instruction in the foreign language classroom.

scholarly journals Negocjowanie programu nauczania języka obcego z uczniami w Polsce

Neofilolog ◽  
1970 ◽  
pp. 143-156
Author(s):  
Paweł Sobkowiak
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
Different Levels

This paper aims to explore the rationale of classroom negotiation - understood as a discussion between all participants in the teaching/learning process to decide on the organization of foreign language learning and teaching. It outlines relevant issues connected with the process syllabus and the benefits that can be expected from involving students in classroom decision making. The article presents results of research conducted in Polish schools among both students and teachers at different levels of education in order to see to what extent the foreign language syllabus is negotiated there.

scholarly journals Teachers’ Perception of Motivational Strategies in the Language Classroom

EL LE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Cucinotta
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Classroom Climate ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Motivational Strategies ◽  
Language Classroom

Motivation can determine success or failure in second language learning process, however there is a limited number of published investigations dedicated to motivational strategies in a European context. The purpose of the present study is to replicate Cheng’s and Dörnyei’s (2007) research to test the validity of their findings in a different cultural milieu. 101 foreign language (FL) and second language (L2) teachers were asked to rate a list of 47 motivational strategies according based on the degree of importance they perceived. In addition, they were also invited to specify how they acquainted with each strategy. The results of the study suggest that, even though the use of motivational strategies is decidedly context-dependent, the prevailing importance of some strategies might be cross-cultural. In particular, strategies related to classroom climate could also be considered as preconditions to employ further strategies. The highest-rated strategies are also indicated as acquired mostly through experience, which highlights the far too little attention that motivational strategies have so far received in education programmes for the formation of language teachers.

scholarly journals Collaborative tasks and learning occasions in English as a foreign language

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 837-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marília dos Santos Lima
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Linguistic Knowledge ◽  
Collaborative Dialogue ◽  
Learning English

The study reported here forms part of a program of qualitative research focusing on the use of collaborative tasks in learning English as a foreign language in Brazil. The research examines the concept of collaborative dialogue (SWAIN, 2000), understood as dialogue that constructs linguistic knowledge within a sociocultural view of language learning. The results indicated that the learners reflected upon the target language, tested hypotheses and reformulated their production in order to promote mutual comprehension in the learning process. The results also revealed that the interaction established during the production of the collaborative dialogue stimulated foreign language learning as the students noticed linguistic gaps in the target language, and sought solutions together.

Enhancing a process-oriented approach to literacy and language learning: The role of corpus consultation literacy

ReCALL ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Íde O'Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Metacognitive Skills ◽  
New Literacy ◽  
Process Oriented ◽  
Oriented Approach ◽  
Language Teaching And Learning

AbstractCorpora and concordancing have become much more widely available as researchers recognise that they can significantly enrich the language learning environment. There is still, however, a strong resistance towards corpus use by teachers and learners (Römer, 2006:122). An understanding of the implications and relevance of corpus use for pedagogy may help teachers and learners overcome this resistance, and hence accelerate the process of “percolation” (McEnery & Wilson, 1997:5) or the “trickle down” (Leech, 1997:2) of corpus research to language teaching and learning. The pedagogical context in which learners' consultation of corpora (corpus consultation literacy) can be developed is fundamental in understanding this new literacy and developing it so that it leads to successful language teaching and learning. This paper seeks to investigate the role which corpus consultation literacy plays in enhancing the language learning process and, consequently, aims to establish whether this new literacy can contribute to a process-oriented approach to language learning. Firstly, a theoretical overview of a process-oriented approach to language learning will be outlined, before investigating if corpus consultation can potentially enhance such an approach. This will be supported by evidence from a number of published empirical studies, covering aspects such as learning within a constructivist framework, and the development of cognitive and metacognitive skills through the use of cognitive and developmental tools. Learners' comments from related studies, namely Chambers and O'Sullivan (2004), O'Sullivan (2006), and O'Sullivan and Chambers (2006), which pertain to the learning process and the influence of corpus consultation literacy on this same process, will also be considered. The hypothesis presented here is that corpus consultation literacy can enhance a process-oriented approach to language teaching and learning. It is envisaged that this research will contribute towards the establishment of a sound theoretical and pedagogical foundation for the integration of corpus consultation literacy into language teaching and learning.

Learning a foreign language by cochlear implant users

2017 ◽  
Vol LXXVIII (1) ◽  
pp. 17-27
Author(s):  
Ewa Domagała-Zyśk ◽  
Agnieszka Kłos-Dacka
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Cochlear Implants ◽  
Hard Of Hearing ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Independent Learning ◽  
Hearing Impairments ◽  
Communication Techniques ◽  
And Performance

Learning a foreign language is a special challenge for students with hearing impairments as it requires not only developing necessary strategies to learn all language skills in another language, but also overcoming specific perceptual and performance difficulties. The methodology of foreign language teaching to students with hearing impairments describes this process with reference to deaf and hard-of-hearing students of various ages who have various degrees of hearing impairment and who use various communication techniques. However, experiences relating to foreign language learning by people with cochlear implants have not been studied so far. These are students with unique characteristics whose hearing impairments are usually severe or profound and, at the same time, whose functioning is similar to the functioning of hard-of-hearing people thanks to their cochlear implants. It is assumed that their full inclusion in education in mainstream schools and social integration are possible.The article presents the issue of teaching the English language as a foreign language to students with hearing impairments who use cochlear implants (three case studies), especially in the context of the level of independent learning, beliefs concerning foreign language learning, foreign language classroom anxiety or lack of anxiety, and the scope of learning to read, write, speak and listen in a foreign language. In the study, a questionnaire designed by the authors was used as well as the scale FLCAS (Horwitz, Horwitz, Cope, 1986), autonomous scale (Macaskill, Taylor, 2010) and subscale BALLI (Horowitz, 1999).

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