scholarly journals Computerized Corpus Based Investigation of the Use of Multi-Word Combinations and the Developmental Stages by Tertiary Level EFL Learners

10.29007/fs4s ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Sukru Ozbay ◽  
Mustafa Naci Kayaoğlu
Keyword(s):  
Test Scores ◽  
Reading Performance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Tertiary Level ◽  
Black Sea Region ◽  
Reading Processes ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Experimental Group

It is an old consensus by now that languages all throughout the world consist of prefabricated chunks or multi-word combinations which are important for EFL learners in their efforts to perceive and produce language of native speakers in the form of combinations or chunks. The combinative nature of English language lends itself in various ways and sometimes they are called as “collocations” which constitute the biggest part of these chunks. In this respect, it is understandable that collocation learning plays a significant role for EFL learners. Thus, the primary purpose of this research is to explore whether corpus based explicit collocation instruction will help the EFL students gain awareness of collocations. Another purpose is to reveal the extent to which EFL learners recognize collocations in different contexts. The final purpose is to observe whether this informed exposure will result in better reading performances in English. The research reported on an experimental study regarding the effect of corpus-based explicit collocation instruction on EFL students' reading performance. The data for the study were obtained through pre-test and post- test scores and interview which included open-ended questions. Tertiary level EFL students (n=50) from the English department of a middle sized university in the Eastern Black Sea region in Turkey participated in the study and the study lasted for eight weeks (spring term). The control group (n = 25) received in-class reading instruction and the experimental group (n = 25) integrated collocations into their reading processes. The study investigated whether there were any differences between the experimental and the control groups in terms of gaining awareness of collocations and exhibiting better reading performances after corpus-based explicit collocation instruction is delivered on a scheduled-order. Based on the analyses of students' reading scores, the main findings showed that the experimental group showed significant improvement when compared to the control group. Both post-test scores and the answers of the students participated in the interview proved that corpus-based explicit collocation instruction had positive effect on the awareness level and reading performances of EFL students. The study, therefore, concludes that English as a Foreign Language learners' use of collocations or word combinations has potential to create more effective reading performance.

scholarly journals The Potential of Corpus Based Collocation Instruction on the Awareness Levels of the Turkish EFL Students in Terms of Reading Performances

10.29007/k2lr ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Sukru Ozbay
Keyword(s):  
Test Scores ◽  
English Language ◽  
Reading Performance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Black Sea Region ◽  
Reading Processes ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Experimental Group

It is an old consensus by now that languages all throughout the world consist of prefabricated chunks or multi-word combinations which are important for EFL learners in their efforts to perceive and produce language of native speakers in the form of combinations or chunks. The combinative nature of English language lends itself in various ways and sometimes they are called as “collocations” which constitute the biggest part of these chunks. In this respect, it is understandable that collocation learning plays a significant role for EFL learners. Thus, the primary purpose of this research is to explore whether corpus based explicit collocation instruction will help the EFL students gain awareness of collocations. Another purpose is to reveal the extent to which EFL learners recognize collocations in different contexts. The final purpose is to observe whether this informed exposure will result in better reading performances in English. The research reported on an experimental study regarding the effect of corpus-based explicit collocation instruction on EFL students' reading performance. The data for the study were obtained through pre-test and post- test scores and interview which included open-ended questions. Tertiary level EFL students (n=50) from the English department of a middle sized university in the Eastern Black Sea region in Turkey participated in the study and the study lasted for eight weeks (spring term). The control group (n = 25) received in-class reading instruction and the experimental group (n = 25) integrated collocations into their reading processes. The study investigated whether there were any differences between the experimental and the control groups in terms of gaining awareness of collocations and exhibiting better reading performances after corpus-based explicit collocation instruction is delivered on a scheduled-order. Based on the analyses of students' reading scores, the main findings showed that the experimental group showed significant improvement when compared to the control group. Both post-test scores and the answers of the students participated in the interview proved that corpus-based explicit collocation instruction had positive effect on the awareness level and reading performances of EFL students. The study, therefore, concludes that English as a Foreign Language learners' use of collocations or word combinations has potential to create more effective reading performance.

scholarly journals Can Explicit Written Corrective Feedback Develop Grammatical and Lexical Accuracy of Saudi EFL Learners?

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nahla Al-Hazzani ◽  
Sultan Altalhab
Keyword(s):  
Corrective Feedback ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Saudi Students ◽  
Written Corrective Feedback ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Made In

Saudi students encounter many problems in writing skill as several studies revealed (e.g. Alhazmi, 2006; Alsamdani, 2010). Providing effective and useful feedback may help to overcome these challenges. Therefore, this study examines the effect of teachers’ written corrective feedback on female Saudi EFL students’ written essays and to what extent it affects students’ written grammatical and lexical accuracy. The sample comprises 50 foundation level students, across two groups: an experimental group (n=29) and a control group (n=21). Data were gathered over a 10-week period using a pre-/post-test/delayed post-test design for comparable groups. The findings show that although many errors were made in the writing performances, the students in the experimental group had significantly better achievements than the students in the control group on the measure. The results lend support to the efficiency of teachers’ written corrective feedback, showing it has a significant positive effect on the participants’ grammatical and lexical accuracy.

scholarly journals The Effect of Swain's Push Out Hypothesis on Promoting Jordanian Language Learners' Reading Performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Abeer Al-Ghazo
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Reading Performance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Comprehension Test ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Push Out ◽  
Experimental Group

The present study investigates the effect of push out hypothesis in language acquisition that is based on Swain’s push out hypothesis (1985) on promoting Jordanian language learners' reading performance. The sample of the study consists of two classes of English reading comprehension  Course , Level one with 60 EFL students, 30 in the control group and 30 in the experimental group. Those students were belonging to the Department of English Language and Literature. The researchers choose the reading texts from reading comprehension course which was published by Macmillan Education LTD, intermediate level (2001). The researchers construct a multiple-choice reading comprehension test to assess the students reading comprehension. The participants in the two groups took a vocabulary test and an achievement reading comprehension test as a pre-test  in order to be sure that the participants formed a homogenous sample. The experimental group underwent a treatment based on Swains’ push out task, while the control group did not receive any treatment. Then, Proper statistical analyses were used to analyze the results. The scores of control and experimental group were compared at the end of the treatment period. The results reveal that the scores of the experimental group on the post-test were significantly higher than those of the control group. These results prove that teaching on the basis of the Swains’ push out hypothesis was successful to develop the students’ reading comprehension as well as their performance.

The Impact of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) on Improving Intermediate EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Enayati ◽  
Abbas Pourhosein Gilakjani
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

Regarding the large amount of vocabulary that learners should learn and the limited amount of time available in the EFL classes, Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is considered as an attractive option for learning. One specific benefit of using CALL vocabulary instruction is to provide systematic repetition of words, ensuring that learned words are not forgotten. The objective of current investigation is to examine the effect of CALL on Iranian intermediate learners’ vocabulary learning. The researchers used Tell Me More (TEM) software for this objective. This investigation used Preliminary English Test (PET) as a standardized measurement to seek the level of the subjects in terms of language proficiency. Then, the researchers assigned the participants into two groups: experimental group and control group. Experimental group included 31 EFL students and control group involved 30 EFL students. 80 items were administered as pre-test to evaluate the participants’ previous knowledge of English in respect to the vocabularies. The researchers taught the students of both groups for 12 sessions. The TEM software was used as treatment in experimental group and the control group received no treatment. The taught words were the same in both groups. After 12 sessions, the 65 items were administered as post-test in order to compare the results of the scores of two groups and decide about the effectiveness of the treatment. The data were analyzed through running the Independent sample t-test. The results of post-test showed that the participants of experimental group outperformed the control group and had positive attitudes towards CALL. The results of this study may be useful for EFL teachers, EFL learners, and syllabus designers.

scholarly journals The Efficacy of Corrective Feedback on L2 Writings of EFL Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Senanur ÇINAR
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Corrective Feedback ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Private University ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Made In

Errors have been perceived as problems within the process of teaching and learning a language. However, especially in writing, learners are able to benefit from their errors with the help of corrective feedback. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of explicit corrective feedback in Turkish EFL learners’ writing. The participants of the study were 43 intermediate level Turkish EFL students at a private university in Turkey. There were one experimental, 21 students, and one control group, 22 students. As the data collection both groups were administered a pre-test, a post-test and a delayed post-test as a paper and pencil tests. The experimental group received explicit corrective feedback with extended comments on their errors, and the control group received no feedback. Their errors were only underlined without providing correction. The number of errors that each group made in the writings was compared to each other. In order to ensure the reliability and validity, the participants were administered a 5 Likert scale questionnaire after the writing sessions. The results revealed that the experimental group who received explicit corrective feedback made fewer errors than the control group who did not receive feedback on their L2 writings. Besides that, the experimental group made fewer mistakes in their tests compared to the previous ones. Thus, the findings of the questionnaire revealed that students had a positive view about corrective feedback their L2 writings especially if it has extended comments.

The Effect of Using Students Peer Teaching on Iraqi EFL Students' Achievement in the Course of Library and Research Work

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (33) ◽  
pp. 693-714
Author(s):  
. Muntaha Sabbar Jebur
Keyword(s):  
Basic Education ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Peer Teaching ◽  
Control Group ◽  
College Of Basic Education ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Experimental Group

          Peer teaching is a strategy that allows the students to teach the new content to each other, and they must be accurately guided by instructors.     The researcher proposes that the use of students peer teaching  may promote students' achievement  and ensure the engagement of all the students in the learning process. Therefore, the researcher employs it as a teaching method aiming at investigating its  effect on Iraqi EFL students' achievement in the course of Library and Research Work .      The study hypothesizes that there is no significant difference between the students' achievement who are taught library and research work by students peer teaching  and that of the students taught by the traditional way. The experimental design of the study is Parallel Groups, Random Assignment, posttest. Each group consists of 35 students, chosen randomly from the Third Year Students at the Department of English in the College of Basic Education. Both groups were matched in terms of their age and parents' education. The experiment was fulfilled in the first course for 15 weeks during the academic year 2016-2017.       The same materials were presented to both groups. This included   units from Writing Research Paper by Lester D. . Post-test was constructed and exposed  The t-test for  independent samples was used to analyze the results and it is found out that there is a statistical difference between the two groups in their achievement because the calculated t- value 2.635 is bigger than the tabulated t- value which is 2.000, and also shown the superiority of the experimental group. The results indicate that the experimental group, who was taught Library and Research Work by peer teaching   was better than the control group, who was taught according to the traditional way. So, the null hypothesis is rejected. Finally, some recommendations and suggestions are presented in the light of the study findings. to a jury of experts to verify its validity and it was administered to both groups.

scholarly journals From Instructed Writing to Free-Writing: A Study of EFL Learners

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824402110071
Author(s):  
Saleh Alharthi
Keyword(s):  
Control Group ◽  
Writing Program ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Writing Assignments ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Free Writing ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Structured Writing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Writing is an intricate process that encompasses various factors and is a key skill for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students. Thus, writing assignments are vital for any curriculum. One of the essential aspects of effective writing includes good grammar knowledge. Advocates of process writing argue that a free-writing journal is a practical approach to teaching EFL students writing. This study is intended to examine the impact of the free-writing journal on EFL learners. This study was conducted on 80 students from a writing course at the University. Thirty-five students were randomly selected to join the free-writing program—the experimental group—and 45 students were kept in their regular structured writing program—the control group. The experimental group selected topics of interest to them and was encouraged to write in English freely without concern for errors, whereas the control group followed a regular structured writing program where the topics were selected for them and they wrote following a clear guideline. Five major areas were investigated to evaluate students’ progress: the number of words written, spelling, capitalization, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 students of the experimental group to elicit their perception of the free-writing program. According to the analysis, students in the free-writing program acquired better grammar acquisition than the control group. The researcher also observed students’ perception of free-writing at the end of the study and found that free-writing improved their writing skills.

scholarly journals The Effect of Aural and Visual Storytelling on Vocabulary Retention of Iranian EFL Learners

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Maryam AminAfshar ◽  
Ahmad Mojavezi
Keyword(s):  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Vocabulary Test ◽  
Vocabulary Retention ◽  
Visual Storytelling ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Do So

EFL learners at all ages and proficiency levels are usually confronted with various problems in vocabulary learning and retention. This study sought to introduce strategies for improvement of vocabulary learning and retention. Therefore, the effects of using aural/visual storytelling on Iranian EFL learners’ vocabulary learning and retention were investigated. To do so, 50 intermediate female EFL learners were randomly assigned to two groups. After the administration of teacher made English Vocabulary Test as the pre-test, aural storytelling method was used for the control group, and visual storytelling method was used for the experimental group. After three months of instruction, the aforementioned teacher made English Vocabulary Test, as the post-test, was given to the students of both groups to assess their improvements. Two weeks after post-test, they were given a delayed post-test to measure their retention of English vocabulary knowledge. The reliability of the English Vocabulary Test using Cronbach's Alpha was estimated equal to 0.80. Finally, Using ANCOVA, the results revealed that, the experimental group’s participants outperformed those of control group in both learning and retention of English vocabulary. So, it can be noted that the training program according to visual could have impressive impact on the learning and retention of vocabulary knowledge.

scholarly journals Using Podcasts to Improve Second Language Comprehension in Iranian Language Classrooms

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Mohammad Davoudi ◽  
Mojtaba Rezaei
Keyword(s):  
Language Comprehension ◽  
Good Method ◽  
Placement Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Transcript File

<p>The present study aims at investigating the influence of podcasts (POD) on language comprehension of Iranian pre-intermediate EFL learners. An Oxford Placement Test (OPT) was administered to 60 male and female university students. The participants were considered as pre-intermediate learners and were divided into two groups (one experimental group and one control group). During the fifteen sessions of the treatment, thirty podcasts were presented to the two groups. The experimental group received just the audio file of the POD, and the control group received a different treatment which was the transcript file of the same audio podcast file of the experimental group. The results of the t-tests revealed that there was no significant difference in language comprehension scores across the posttest between two groups. Based on the interview results after the post-test, all of the participants (100%) agreed that both audio and the transcripts (written texts) were useful for them and claimed that it is a good method of improving language comprehension.</p>

scholarly journals The effect of peripheral learning on elementary EFL learners’ grammar improvement: The case of prepositions of time and place

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-100
Author(s):  
Islam Namazian Doost ◽  
Soheila Tahmasbi
Keyword(s):  
T Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Teaching Environment ◽  
Learning Abilities ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Elementary Classes ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

This study aims to investigate the possible effects of peripheral learning on elementary EFL learners’ grammar improvement: the case of prepositions of time and place. Two elementary classes were selected as experimental and control groups. Before beginning the treatment, a grammar test was administered to both the groups as a pre-test. Then, as treatment, the experimental group was exposed to realia, pictures, posters and texts, while the control group was not. After term-long treatment of 10 weeks, the two groups received the same grammar test as post-test. The results of t-test showed that the experimental group improved their grammar ability, i.e., knowledge of prepositions of time and place more than their friends in the control group. The finding of the study may open an optional path for teachers to include some peripheral materials in their teaching environment to further invest on unconscious learning abilities of the students.   Keywords: Peripheral learning, reposition of time, prepositions of place, grammar.

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