scholarly journals The Impact of Xeropan: An Online Application Assisting Language Learning on the Processes of Foreign Language Learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 624-643
Author(s):  
Istvan Thekes
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Online Application ◽  
The Road ◽  
Long Time ◽  
The Impact

Examining the relationship between technology and the success of language acquisition and the integration of technology into language instruction has been around of a long time by now. The development of technology can essentially change how languages are taught. Nevertheless, it is only in the last few years that the road has opened up for new language learning opportunities. In this current study, the impact of a pedagogical intervention is presented grounded on Xeropan, a gamified language learning application. In addition to assessing the impact of the app, a questionnaire was also applied to find out how efficient language learners find language learning with the application. Based on the original aim of the literature and the study, answers were sought as to how Xeropan influences the English language learning process, how student users find Xeropan in terms of efficiency and motivation, and how self-regulated motivation correlates with use of Xeropan. It was found that Xeropan application has a positive impact on language learning processes. There was a visible improvement in language learners, and at the level of some tasks, it was indicated that there was a significant improvement as a result of the developmental intervention using Xeropan. It was also pointed out that students are content to work with Xeropan and find that it has a positive effect on them. Further conclusions are drawn.

scholarly journals The Impact of Xeropan An Online Application Assisting Language Learning on the Processes of Foreign Language Learning

TEM Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
István Thékes ◽  
Orsolya Szilvássy
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Online Application ◽  
Pedagogical Intervention ◽  
Integration Of Technology ◽  
Long Time ◽  
The Impact

Examining the relationship between technology and the success of language acquisition and the integration of technology into language instruction has been around of a long time by now. In this current study, the impact of a pedagogical intervention is presented grounded on Xeropan, a gamified language learning application. It was found that Xeropan application has a positive impact on language learning processes. There was a visible improvement in language learners, and at the level of some tasks, it was indicated that there was a significant improvement as a result of the developmental intervention using Xeropan. It was also pointed out that students are content to work with Xeropan and find that it has a positive effect on them. Further conclusions are drawn.

Going glocal: The impact of CLIL on English Language Learners’ multilingual Identities and Attitudes in the Balearic Islands

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estefania López-Deflory ◽  
Maria Juan-Garau
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Balearic Islands ◽  
Minority Languages ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
The Impact

AbstractLanguages are a defining identity component, intrinsic to all individuals and societies. Identities are not fixed but ever fluctuating, hence the process of learning a second or foreign language may entail a negotiation of shifting identities, modifying positioning, attitudes and beliefs. Departing from this premise, in multilingual contexts the potential of education in shaping multilingual identities should be addressed.This study contrasts the attitudes of two groups of secondary education students (n=73), partaking in two different language learning programmes in the Balearic Islands (formal instruction in English as a Foreign Language –EFL, and Content and Language Integrated Learning –CLIL), where the introduction of English as a medium of instruction may be perceived as a threat to the unbalanced coexistence of Spanish and Catalan as the majority and minority languages, respectively. A 31-item questionnaire quantified the values ascribed to multilingualism, Spanish, Catalan, and English, the internationalisation of the latter, and the perception of the classroom as a genuine community of language practice. Qualitative data were collected through an essay eliciting students’ metalinguistic reflection on the position of different languages in their future imagined communities.The results shed light on the relevance of teaching methodologies in the development of identities, ascertaining the positive impact of integrative approaches such as CLIL on the construction of summative multilingualism.

scholarly journals Why can't we do it as teachers: English language teaching from the perspectives of secondary school teachers

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-84
Author(s):  
Sevim Maviş ◽  
Fevzi Dursun
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Secondary School Teachers ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
Black Sea Region ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this study is to discover the issues in teaching English from the perspective of teachers. The qualitative method was employed in the study by using semi-structured interview forms to 19 teachers from a central Black Sea region province of Turkey. The teachers highlighted the impact of learning-teaching process, teacher training, teacher-stakeholder relationship and students during the study. According to the teachers, students' prejudices against foreign language learning, interest in the subject, awareness of the importance of language learning, speaking skills, participation in the lesson and the environment they take the courses affect the language learning process. Nevertheless, the reasons for the problems are a lot more complex than this. The students are also need to be supported by the education system, by the parents and by teachers in this process. For instance, the results shows that there is a need for activities that will make students more active, and more suitable environments and materials (i.e. books) are needed for English language teaching. Also, the teachers need to the support of parents, administrators, and the other teachers to become more efficient. This research once again reveals the importance of interrelation of all factors and stakeholders as well as students' willingness and thoughts in teaching English.

The importance of the self: using online diaries in the EFL classroom

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-412
Author(s):  
Micòl Beseghi
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
English Language ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Final Questionnaire ◽  
Diary Writing

Abstract Learner journals, diaries, and logs have been used in a variety of learning contexts, including foreign language learning. This paper investigates how diary writing can be used in the EFL classroom to encourage students to express their identities through the language they are learning; it is also a way of supporting them in their quest for greater autonomy, with a view to exploring the interconnections between learner autonomy, learner self (L2 self), and learner emotions. More specifically, it will be shown how reflective writing – in the form of online diaries – can offer learners an important tool to explore their thoughts and emotions and reflect on their identity as learners and users of English. Moreover, diaries are a qualitative research tool for teachers and scholars, who can examine metacognitive and affective aspects of language learning. The paper reports a study conducted within a university English Language course, in which the students were encouraged to keep a reflective online diary throughout a semester. The analysis of their personal and expressive writing has shed light on their need to speak as themselves, not just as language learners, and to explore their emotions, both positive and negative. A final questionnaire has revealed that the students were generally positive about the activity, highlighting its usefulness in terms of learner autonomy, self-awareness, and self-regulation.

National Standards: Research into practice

2012 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eileen W. Glisan
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Foreign Language Education ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
National Standards ◽  
The Impact

The Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (SFLL) (National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project [NSFLEP]), originally published in 1996, were envisioned by many as the panacea for providing a new and exciting direction for foreign language education in the United States. The perceived impact of these National K-16 Student Standards has been witnessed throughout more than a decade by scholarly works that have acknowledged their role as ‘a veritable change agent’ (Sharpley-Whiting 1999: 84), ‘a vision for foreign language education in the new century’ (Allen 2002: 518), and, more recently, as ‘a blueprint and framework for change’ (Terry 2009: 17). The research that has been done on the Standards since their inception has attempted to provide concrete ways for the field to embrace this new framework and thereby realize a Standards-based curriculum and perhaps even revolutionize language education. This work has consisted largely of (1) implementational research (both with and without experimental design) that proposes specific strategies for addressing the Standards in planning, teaching, and assessment (Schwartz & Kavanaugh 1997; Abbott & Lear 2010); (2) survey research that analyzes self-reported information regarding teachers' pedagogical beliefs about the Standards and ways in which they claim to be addressing Standards in their classrooms (Allen 2002; ACTFL 2011), and (3) White papers that disseminate opinions and insights by leaders in the field regarding the impact that the Standards are having in areas such as language instruction, curriculum and course design, and educational policy (Sharpley-Whiting 1999; Donato 2009; Glisan 2010).

scholarly journals Investigating the Impact of Task-based English Language Teaching on Student Competencies at a Saudi EFL Context

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamza Alshenqeeti
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Saudi Students ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Perceived Relevance ◽  
The Impact

This study examines the impact of task-based English language teaching on Saudi students’ competencies, such as reading comprehension and writing proficiency. The mixed-methods approach, involving an experimental component and a qualitative component based on interviews with the participants, is applied in this study. The procedure for the experimental component was developed with attention to the design, implementation, and assessment of task-based English language instruction activities. A growing body of literature suggests that task-based English teaching has gained significance in recent decades because of its perceived relevance in augmenting linguistic and non-linguistic competencies of learners. The study results indicate that the use of tasks in language learning classrooms promotes students’ learning, the development of skills in reading and writing, social interaction, and the motivation to use English in real-life situations. These findings can be used to promote language learning in students studying English as a foreign language.

scholarly journals The Impact of the English Language used in Social Media on English Language Learners at the Undergraduate Level in Sargodha

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-161
Author(s):  
Rana Muhammad Basharat Saeed
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Statistical Design ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Undergraduate Level ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the English language used in social media and its impact on English language learners at the undergraduate level in Sargodha. Approach/Methodology/Design: Five private colleges in Sargodha were selected through convenient sampling. A total of 82 learners participated in the study and the individual perception of each learner was recorded using a questionnaire as a data collection tool. Due to the nature of the study tool, descriptive and inferential statistical design was adopted to analyze the collected data using SPSS, version 20.0. The reliability of the questionnaire was substantiated using reliability statistics (Cronbach’s alpha). Findings:  The results indicated that social media plays a vital role in advancing the language learnability of English language learners. It proved instrumental in enhancing vocabulary and improving the overall reading, writing, listening and speaking skills of the learners. It was also found that the overwhelming use of shortened forms, slang, and incorrect sentences on social media adversely affects the academic writings of the learners. However, the overall perception of the learners signified that social media positively impacts the learnability of the English language learners. Moreover, though practicing social media is imperative in learning the English language, the use of informal English language may prove a future risk to Standard English. Practical Implication: This research contributes to understanding the role of social media in language learning. The findings of the study present practical implications for teachers as well as learners to direct the teaching/learning process in a better way, adopting appropriate ways of writing English on social media. Originality/value: This study is different from other similar existing studies as it focuses the perception of the learners towards English language learning through social media in the Pakistani context, and empirically examines the impact of the English language used in social media on English language learners at undergraduate Level in Sargodha. 

scholarly journals A study of retrospective and concurrent foreign language learning experiences: A comparative interview study in Hungary

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 225-246
Author(s):  
Kata Csizér ◽  
Csaba Kálmán
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
English Language Teachers

Despite the fact that the influence of learning experiences on foreign language learning motivation has been widely acknowledged and emphasised, there are hardly any studies concentrating on these learning experiences. Hence, the aim of this study is to map the language learning experiences of former and current language learners in order to provide a detailed account of the possible components of the foreign language learning experience. Data were collected with the help of a qualitative interview schedule involving 22 language learners in two subsamples. Ten participants are English language teachers as former foreign language learners, while 12 students, current learners of English, have also been recruited. The most important result of our study is that foreign language learning experience seems to be a complex construct including immediate and present aspects as well as self-related components and attributions. Language learning success, the teacher’s personality, contact experiences, as well as attitudes towards the L2 seem to stand out as important components for both groups of learners. Apart from discussing the differences and similarities between retrospective and concurrent experiences, we will provide pedagogical and research-related implications as well.

scholarly journals Introducing blended learning in the English language classroom: Students’ attitudes and perceptions before and after the course

2017 ◽  
pp. 33-49
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Research University ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions ◽  
Before And After

The increased demands for foreign language learning and the dwindling number of contact hours have urged teachers to look for innovative methods of instruction such as blended learning (BL). A study was conducted at a Russian university (The National Research University Higher School of Economics) in order to explore the attitudes and perceptions of the students toward blended learning in the English language classroom. The research instruments were tests and questionnaires administered to students before and after the course. The online portion of the course was realized through the corporate learning management system (LMS). The study revealed a noticeable evolution in students’ perceptions and attitudes towards using blended learning in foreign language instruction. This shift and the consequential outcomes of the study are discussed.

Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games as English as a Foreign Language Learning Environments

2019 ◽  
pp. 162-182
Author(s):  
Hélder Fanha Martins
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Role Playing Games

The objective of this chapter is to gain a better understanding of the usefulness of massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) for promoting English as a foreign language (EFL) acquisition. To accomplish this goal, the author analyzed specific categories of interaction occurring between English language learners while playing an online game entitled Eve Online. Previous research has proved that there are positive outcomes on EFL acquisition from the interaction that takes place while playing video games known as MMORPGs. These games immerse players in virtual worlds that are inhabited by hundreds and even thousands of other players, and all are partaking in the game in real time. Learners who choose to play the game in a foreign language are exposed to target language input in a context-rich environment where they can interact with native-speakers and other language learners.

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