GRAMMAR VIDEO LESSONS TO FOSTER INDEPENDENT LEARNERS IN THE ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSROOM

This research analyzes the impact of the implementation of the flipped classroom to improve the low development of cognitive skills in the stu- dents and to promote the autonomous learning in 30 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students Level Four in the English Center at Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo through grammar video lessons. The proposal consisted of eight grammar video lessons based on the syllabus designed for this level. These videos became both: a valuable tool to foster independent learning and a strategy to flip the traditional classroom, which allowed additional time to work on practical activities in the classroom, considering that the theory was studied outside the classroom. The instruments applied in this research project are as initial survey, a satisfaction survey, a pre-test, and a post-test. The initial survey and the pre-test determined the necessity students had to consolidate their knowledge regarding grammar and apply those contents in a real life context. The post- test results revealed that there was a meaningful improvement in the level of grammar knowledge, which is demonstrated in the results analysis and interpretation. Once the study ended, the students concluded that the grammar video lessons are effective and useful to achieve independence in learning the English grammar rules. Students who were part of the intervention reached a level of autonomous learning which influenced mark- edly in the students grades as showed in the interpretation and analysis of the results. Additionally, students felt motivated because they had less “homework.” Thus, it is concluded that the grammar video lessons foster independent learning.

TASK-BASED LEARNING WORKSHEETS IN THE DEVELOPMENTOF MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES

This project proposes the use of Task-Based Learning worksheets which have been developed as a supplementary material based on the Our World through English 1 in order to improve students’ language skills by accessing multiple intelligences learners. Nineteen students in their eighth year of Basic Education at Cornelio Crespo Toral School participated in this study for fifteen months. Data is collected from a pre-test, a post-test, and a questionnaire. The results show the improvement of students’ language learning skills by 24.04%. At the end of the study, the participants developed a sense of motivation, awareness, and increased their language learning skills through the application of the Task- Based Learning worksheets. Teachers recognized the effectiveness of new strategies and techniques implemented in their classes by applying appropriate materials to improve learning skills based on dominant intelligences.

PLANNING LESSONS FOR CRITICAL THINKING: A WAY TO IMPROVE LEARNING OUTCOMES IN THE ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSROOM

Encouraging critical thinking (CT) in the EFL classroom is something that every professional in the educational field should be responsible for. The aim of this paper was to make an analysis of different studies on the topic. The methodology used was based on a descriptive study through the analysis of several primary sources such as research papers on the topic that have been published in scientific journals, books, records of or- ganizations, among others. These sources lead to the identification of important elements in a lesson plan for critical thinking: elements of thought, intellectual standards and intellectual traits. Writing good learning objectives is just as important as selecting effective activities and determining ideal assessments to facilitate that teachers and students perceive what is to be achieved in the class and how. Aligning the tenets of critical thin- king when planning a lesson promotes real learning in our students through the achievement of effective learning outcomes. In conclusion, critical thinking skills need to be developed on a daily basis rather than as a part of isolated lessons that uncommonly take place.

DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION: PRODUCTIVE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT WITH HIGH SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

The Differentiated Instruction (DI) approach addresses individual learner`s needs in a mixed ability class by focusing instruction on student learning profiles. The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of the implementation of four DI strategies suggested by Herrera (2011) in order to analyze their impact on students’ productive skills within two different educational settings: the high school and university. A total of 105 students and two English teachers participated in this study. An online survey assessed learners’ perceptions of the DI strategies. The results confirmed that the 4 DI strategies implemented in both settings had a positive effect on the development of students’ writing and speaking skills. This study concluded that there is not a universal, one-size-fits-all strategy for teaching that includes all students. In-depth knowledge of students’ needs, and interests is a starting point for addressing instruction in a more effective way. Finally, the DI approach is starting to emerge in Ecuadorian EFL classrooms, and teachers are showing interest in applying the corresponding strategies as an aid to student learning.

COMMUNICATION-ORIENTED LESSONS: MOVING FROM COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE TEACHING TOWARDS TASK-BASED INSTRUCTION

Communicative-oriented language teaching methodologies need to have a central role in the current foreign language education. In fact, language teachers are expected to shift away from traditional language teaching methods that have proven to be ineffective for language learning. Nowadays, a movement, which favors and embraces interaction, communication, and negotiation of meaning, is growing in language education; therefore, pre-service and in-service teachers of English need to be responsive to and become aware of the importance of these key aspects. With these notions in mind, the present article can be seen as a contribution to help language teachers gain an understanding of key theoretical notions related to the emergence of communicative language teaching and its most well-known methods – CLT and TBLT. Additionally, this work analyzed CLT and TBLT as these two language teaching methods are not opposing but in line with the communicative approach. The importance of implementing communicative-oriented lessons into the English classroom was also examined. In this sense, a table made up of specific guidelines was elaborated by using works of leading experts in language teaching and learning. The table is intended to help teachers to be better equipped to design and implement TBLT lessons into the classroom, which may have a positive impact on foreign language learning.

LEARNING A LANGUAGE OF TWO ALPHABETS: PRACTICAL APROACHES IN HIRAGANA AND KATAKANA ACQUISITION FOR BEGINNER LEARNERS OF JAPANESE LANGUAGE

The Japanese language has a 128 million speakers and has around 4 million learners in the world. In Ecuador, however, there are only six institutions offer Japanese classes to 150 learners. This small number of learners may be due in part to geographic and cultural distance, as well as the economic and political circumstances separating Ecuador and Japan. Furthermore, the uniqueness of the linguistic characteristics of Japanese is also a major factor influencing learner reluctance. One of the principal characteristics of this language is its three writing systems: hiragana, katakana and kanji. This paper outlines the linguistic characteristics of Japanese, focusing on hiragana, katakana and kanji, and sets out the difficulties which learners experience in this area. In the second part, with reference to these characteristics, the study introduces class activities to show how learners may acquire the basic characters of the writing systems as an important first step in learning Japanese, with the aim of reducing the burden on the language acquisition process. Through this research, the importance of peer-learning and collaboration between learners and teachers is highlighted as a means of facilitating approaches to the teaching and learning of Japanese.

FRUSTRATION AND HOPE: A REVIEW OF THE RESPONSE UNDERTAKEN IN NATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMES TO LOWER-THAN-EXPECTED RATES OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE ACQUISITION.

This review and discussion focused on surveys and reports regarding the rate of foreign language acquisition and attainment within national compulsory education systems, academic analyses of the results obtained, and national programmes and initiatives designed to address the shortcomings revealed in them. The proposed reasons for lower-than-expected acquisition and attainment in foreign language learning within countries including the European Union, Colombia, Vietnam and Ecuador were reviewed in detail. These reasons, and the measures undertaken as a result to remedy these flaws, were evaluated through a comparison with recent academic research relating to these factors, and through com- parison between the different experiences revealed in the surveys and reports. These comparisons found that some of the measures undertaken were fit for purpose and were likely to yield some improvements in acquisition rate, although to a lesser extent than those projected by some of the national programmes, while identifying some aspects which have been overlooked. The conclusion highlighted in which aspects of the teaching and learning of foreign languages requires greater focus is needed in order to effect the desired changes.

THE USE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC TO IMPROVE READING COMPREHENSION

This study focuses on an action research project related to the use of classical music to improve reading comprehension in a foreign language classroom at a university level in the town of Ambato, Tungurahua, Ecuador. The need for university students to improve reading skills in this society was analysed, due to the fact that young people have not developed reading habits, even in their mother tongue. This aspect was conside- red, as well as students’ results on reading exercises applied to them, before and after being exposed to the use of classical music in the language classroom, which were evaluated through a comparison between the different experiences revealed in the surveys applied to the students, and their grade reports. The conclusion highlights that there was a significant improvement in the academic performance of students when they felt comfortable in their classroom environment while classical music was played. Even though research has not yet proved scientifically that the use of classical music influences students to improve their reading comprehension in the language classroom, there are studies related to the use of classical music in education and the learning process, related to the topic of this study, which contributed to conclude that further research must be done in this specific area.