Teachers’ Knowledge and Practices in Using Digital Literacy in Enhancing Communicative Competence in the English as a Second Language Class

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-55
Author(s):  
Folakemi O. Adeniyi-Egbeola ◽  
Kelechi J. Achike ◽  
Yekeen Bello

This study explored teachers’ knowledge and practices in using digital literacy in enhancing the communicative competence of English as a second language (ESL) learners. This is because there are different types of data in the digital domain, which necessitate their use in  various fields of learning. One hundred teachers of English from South-west Nigeria participated in a survey through online platforms.  After analyzing the data through both descriptive and inferential statistics, the major findings revealed the following: (1) ESL teachers have maximum knowledge of the existence of many of the existing digital tools (2) they largely perceive that digital literacy can be used to  enhance communicative competence, but do not maximally use the digital tools to do so, (3)the digital divide is a major factor limiting teachers’ use of digital tools in enhancing learner communicative competence. In view of this, it is therefore recommended,firstly, that  teachers be given adequate training on the use of digital tools in enhancing the communicative competence of ESL learners. Secondly, the government and other stakeholders should invest more in technology particularly in the area of education. Lastly, ESL teachers should make conscientious efforts to deploy digital tools in teaching to enhance the communicative competence of the learners.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Momoye Sugiman

In this paper, I focus on the affective atmosphere of the Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom. I argue that a humanistic learning approach can be a form of strategic resistance against the bureaucratization and standardization of publicly funded ESL programs for adult newcomers in Canada. Given the growing, top-down trend in our economically driven and technologically dependent society, there is a need to humanize the Canadian ESL classroom as a space for empathy and critical thinking. Through a literature review and semi-structured, in-depth interviews with former ESL learners and former ESL teachers, this paper reveals the psychological and political complexities of second language learning and cultural identity, as well as the pivotal role that an ESL teacher can play during the first few years of settlement. In this context, I also critique the racialized linguistic hierarchy embedded in Canada’s multiculturalism policy and exclusionary immigration and language policies.


2010 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 26.1-26.22
Author(s):  
Rhonda Oliver ◽  
Ellen Grote

The role of conversational interaction in second language research has increasingly been seen as playing a facilitative role in second language learning. As such there have been a number of studies focussing on different types of interaction, including feedback such as recasts, and their potential role in second language learning. In this study, using Sheen’s (2006) taxonomy, we compare various types of recasts delivered to child ESL learners. Further, we examine two variables: context (teacher-fronted classrooms versus pair work, including NNS-NNS and NNS-NS dyads) and age (the results of this study with children are compared with the results from Sheen’s (2006) study of adults) and the impact these factors have on this form of feedback. We also examine the opportunity for, and the actual uptake that may follow these recasts, for child ESL learners. The findings suggest that age and context make a difference, both in relation to the provision of recasts (in terms of their type and characteristics), as well as in relation to their uptake, though to a lesser extent. Context also influences the opportunity for uptake afforded to child learners. The theoretical and pedagogical implications of these results are outlined at the conclusion of this paper.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Jigme Dorji

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the conceptualization of communicative language teaching (CLT) by the English as Second Language (ESL) teachers in Chukha district in Bhutan. Four ESL teachers were selected as the participants for the semi-structured interview through purposive sampling technique. A set of 15 predetermined open-ended questions on CLT were framed and asked based on Savignon�s (1983) Foreign Language Attitude Survey Test (FLAST). The content validity of interview questions was ensured by consulting three experts and computing Item Object Congruence (IOC) in accordance with Lynn�s (1986) item acceptability criteria. The data were analyzed using content analysis technique. The results revealed teachers� conceptualization under two categories; in compliance with and deviance from CLT principles. Under first category, the results showed that the participants believed CLT as a language teaching approach that focuses on developing communicative competence, teaching language for real life, child-centered teaching, and teaching culture in the second language classroom. Under the second category, the results indicated that the participants believed CLT as not using mother tongue in teaching English and only teaching listening and speaking skills. In addition, the study also uncovered the fact that ESL teachers are not aware of CLT approach. The article concludes with the discussion on the areas of training particularly relevant to this group of Bhutanese ESL teachers and recommendations for future studies. ��� �Keywords: communicative competence, communicative language teaching, conceptualization


2010 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 26.1-26.22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhonda Oliver ◽  
Ellen Grote

The role of conversational interaction in second language research has increasingly been seen as playing a facilitative role in second language learning. As such there have been a number of studies focussing on different types of interaction, including feedback such as recasts, and their potential role in second language learning. In this study, using Sheen’s (2006) taxonomy, we compare various types of recasts delivered to child ESL learners. Further, we examine two variables: context (teacher-fronted classrooms versus pair work, including NNS-NNS and NNS-NS dyads) and age (the results of this study with children are compared with the results from Sheen’s (2006) study of adults) and the impact these factors have on this form of feedback. We also examine the opportunity for, and the actual uptake that may follow these recasts, for child ESL learners. The findings suggest that age and context make a difference, both in relation to the provision of recasts (in terms of their type and characteristics), as well as in relation to their uptake, though to a lesser extent. Context also influences the opportunity for uptake afforded to child learners. The theoretical and pedagogical implications of these results are outlined at the conclusion of this paper.


Author(s):  
Rafidah Kamarudin ◽  
Shazila Abdullah ◽  
Roslina Abdul Aziz

It is generally agreed that collocational knowledge is an important language form for language learners in order for them to be proficient and fluent in the target language. However, previous studies have reported that second language (L2) learners lack collocational competence and they encounter difficulties in learning and using collocations. The present study not only investigates the overall collocational knowledge of Malaysian ESL learners, but more specifically, their productive and receptive knowledge of lexical and grammatical, which so far have not been further explored. Additionally, the ESL learners’ performance on three different types of collocations: verb-noun, adjective-noun, and verb-preposition is also investigated. Results of the study reveals a few interesting findings with respect to the Malaysian ESL learners’ overall knowledge of collocations, in particular their productive and receptive knowledge of collocations in relation to the three different types of collocations (verb-noun, adjective-noun, and verb-preposition). Pedagogical implications with regard to collocations and recommendations for future research are also put forward. investigated both the receptive and productive aspects of collocational.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Wael Abdeen

This paper analyzes reactions and evaluations of 70 participants, native and non-native speakers of English to 32 errors written by learners of English as a second language, ESL. It investigates the effect of the academic attainment of ESL teachers on the evaluation of ESL error seriousness. The educational attainment of teachers, both native and non-native, include the B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees. Participants in the study include 34 non-native Palestinian ESL teachers, 26 English native speaking ESL teachers, and 10 English native speakers who are not teachers. Errors in this study are taken from compositions written by Arab-Palestinian students. Eight error categories including prepositions, concord, word order, plural, pronouns, spelling, vocabulary, and verb form are used. Four correct sentences are also included. All participants for the study had to underline errors and evaluate them by indicating the points from 0-5 they would deduct for each error; 5 indicates very serious errors; 0 is for error-free sentences; “1” is for errors which can easily be excused; “2”, “3”, and “4” are means to show intermediate degrees of seriousness. Results of the study show that the three academic groups differ in their evaluation of errors. Whereas the Ph.D. groups are the most lenient, the M.A. groups are the least tolerant. The non-teachers are the most tolerant of all groups.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Momoye Sugiman

In this paper, I focus on the affective atmosphere of the Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom. I argue that a humanistic learning approach can be a form of strategic resistance against the bureaucratization and standardization of publicly funded ESL programs for adult newcomers in Canada. Given the growing, top-down trend in our economically driven and technologically dependent society, there is a need to humanize the Canadian ESL classroom as a space for empathy and critical thinking. Through a literature review and semi-structured, in-depth interviews with former ESL learners and former ESL teachers, this paper reveals the psychological and political complexities of second language learning and cultural identity, as well as the pivotal role that an ESL teacher can play during the first few years of settlement. In this context, I also critique the racialized linguistic hierarchy embedded in Canada’s multiculturalism policy and exclusionary immigration and language policies.


2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iryna Lenchuk ◽  
Amer Ahmed

Pragmatic competence is one of the essential competences taught in the second language classroom. The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB, 2012a), the standard document referred to in any federally funded program of ESL teach- ing in Canada, acknowledges the importance of this competence, yet at the same time notes the limited resources available to help ESL teachers address it in the classroom. Informed by the theoretical construct of communicative competence and its application to second language learning, the article offers an exemplar of the whats and hows of teaching pragmatics in the ESL classroom. The article stresses the importance of making explicit to the learners the sociolinguistic and sociocultural variables that underlie native speakers’ linguistic choices. It is hoped that ESL learners will thus develop a better understanding of the reasons that make native speakers choose one linguistic expression rather than others when performing a certain linguistic act. The speech act of complimenting is used here as an exemplar.


2020 ◽  
Vol V (II) ◽  
pp. 93-100
Author(s):  
Sadeed Ahmad Khan ◽  
Shaukat Ali ◽  
Saddam Hussain

The present research study investigates the problems in teaching English listening skill to the students of English as a second language at the Intermediate level in Tehsil Batkhela, District Malakand. The study was carried out in ten government degree colleges of District Malakand, Tehsil Batkhela. A quantitative approach was adopted to get reliable results for which two hundred students among the whole population of intermediate level were selected. Data was collected through an open-ended questionnaire. Findings of the study revealed that there were shortcomings in the teaching methods of the teachers for teaching English listening skill. Moreover, it was also observed that students were not satisfied with the methods used by their teachers. Furthermore, the lack of utilization of supplementary materials was also one of the problems in teaching English in the ESL context. The study recommends that ESL teachers should be properly and frequently trained in teaching listening skill


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 57-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Schneider

This article examines how digital methods can provide a way to search for ‘Digital Asia’ in its networks, interfaces, and media contents. Using the example of higher education institutions in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Taipei, the paper explores how search engines, institutional homepages, and hyperlink networks provide access into the workings and representations of academia online. The article finds that even a seemingly cosmopolitan endeavour such as academia exists in rather parochial spheres, and that users that enter those spheres do so in highly biased ways. Further reviewing the digital tools that lead to these findings, the article also argues that while digital methods promise to bring together the ‘digital turn’ and the ‘spatial turn’ in the humanities and social sciences, they also pose new challenges. These include theoretical concerns, like the risk of implicitly reproducing views of neoliberal modernity, but also practical concerns related to digital literacy.


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