Cognitive Skills through CALL-Enhanced Teacher Training

The efficacy of computer-based activities that can incorporate grammar as well as language acquisition is at the centre of debates in CALL and SLA. The concern for this chapter is the integration of CALL in the language classroom in a blended learning environment that includes the acquisition of grammatical content and its effect on language acquisition at a level where the learners are proficient users and communicators. The courseware under investigation was shown to be an effective learning tool for the metalinguistic curriculum and the acquisition of particular English structures, such as tenses and adverbials, but not for morphology. The results give grounds for the conclusion that, if the courseware invites students to apply cognitive skills (rather than mere drills), there will be an effect on language acquisition through the knowledge of grammar.

Performance and Anxiety in Videoconferencing

Anxiety has long been considered a hindrance to both language learning and performance. To address this issue in oral language testing, it has been suggested that the use of Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) to distance the test-taker from the interviewer could reduce anxiety levels and, thus, improve performance. Research has been undertaken on the use of synchronous and asynchronous text chat to lower anxiety and increase communication. However, research on the use of videoconferencing is largely unknown in the same areas. Thus, this study undertakes the challenge by comparing forty students’ anxiety levels when they took an oral test face-to-face and via an online videoconferencing medium. The students were from a private, mid-sized, Korean university, and they were interviewed and rated by two interviewers under both face-to-face and video conference conditions, as well as surveyed for state anxiety. The findings in this study will be used to guide the design of future distance assessment instruments as well as inform educational research in this field.

The Effect of Feedback in Teaching Thai as a Foreign Language

This chapter aims to explore the effect of providing multiple sources of feedback through a language teaching approach called the Somatically-enhanced Approach (SEA) (Zhang, 2006) in the teaching of Thai language to foreigners. Teaching innovations include: the use of relaxation techniques to relax students; the use of humming, clapping, mouthing, and physical gestures to emphasize the rhythm of the Thai language; the use of a Speech comparison tool (Sptool) for providing biofeedback; and the provision of all learning materials on CDs. Two groups of students were involved in the study. An experimental group (EG) consisted of 24 international students who enrolled in the Thai Language for Foreigners course at Khon Kaen University, Thailand. These students came from People’s Republic of China, Vietnam, and Laos. They were taught using SEA. The control group (CG) consisted of 22 Chinese students who studied Thai language at Guangxi University for Nationalities, China, taught with the traditional method. The results of this study revealed that after 24 face-to-face contact hours over 8 weeks, international students who undertook a course in SEA spoke more fluently than the control group who studied Thai for 44 hours over 11 weeks. The differences in the quality and quantity of speech were statistically significant. The results of the study, both quantitative and qualitative, will be reported. The improved gains in students’ performance in EG can be attributed to the multiple sources of feedback afforded by SEA.

Text Input and Editing as a Bottleneck in Mobile Devices for Language Learning

This chapter examines the technical, ergonomic, and cognitive implications for MALL for text input and editing with special reference to the mobile phone, but also in relation to tablets where they are relevant to the argument. It examines a number of options and their implications, and it presents a set of specifications which, if met, will allow mobile devices and MALL to play a fuller role in the writing aspect of language learning.

Constructionism in Action within European eTwinning Projects

The European eTwinning programme, as part of the Lifelong Learning action has reached thousands of schools in Europe and beyond. It becomes a cultural trend in education where various theoretical grounds, managerial ideas, and practical solutions meet. Thus, in this chapter, eTwinning is presented as a practical collaborative implementation of ICT tools in education. Furthermore, an attempt to theorize it as an emerging trend, which combines communicative approaches to language learning, is made, including constructivist ideas – both social and cognitive, followed by constructionism as the key background concepts. A reference to other concepts, such as European Key Competences for Lifelong Learning and the feminist angle is made to contextualize the situation in schools. The conceptual framework is linked with the school practice in the ICT-based learning environment within the eTwinning programme. Further description, case studies, and evaluation of the results will be presented.

Interaction in Google Wave Sends Chat Rooms Out with the Tide

This chapter focuses on Google Wave, a new, emerging world-wide technology by Google that supports both synchronous and asynchronous communication. Research on this technology took place during two sessions of an advanced second language (L2) technology course whereby synchronous conversations in Google Wave were compared to synchronous conversations in Blackboard chat rooms. Students experienced both forms of technology while discussing cross-cultural and pedagogical discussions relevant to L2 learning. Structural comparisons in terms of message length, message turns, numbers of words, and clarification revealed that students were more patient and wrote lengthier, more complex posts when conversing in Google Wave as compared to the chat room. Students’ impressions further confirmed their awareness of writing and reflecting more within Google Wave. These results suggest that Google Wave will support flexible, innovative learning and will provide researchers with multiple opportunities for expanding our understanding of students’ interactions in synchronous environments.

Effects of an E-Learning Platform for EFL Chinese Learners

As English has been increasingly recognized as one of the influential factors for China in taking parts in global community, students and Chinese professionals need to participate in international seminars and conferences, and internationally collaborate with academics through the lingua franca, English. Hence, being able to speak intelligible English has unavoidably become a necessity, especially for Chinese university students. The purpose of this chapter focuses on the implementation of constructive role plays (CRP) via the NHCE e-learning in learning English as a foreign language classes. This chapter exploits quantitative and qualitative methods such as pretest, post-test, student questionnaires and student role play recording analysis to collect data to demonstrate the effectiveness of CRP on Chinese university students’ spoken English development. Results showed that there was a significant increase in the students’ speaking proficiency for the experimental group as compared to the control group. The results also indicated that CRP has been highly successful as an effective aid in improving EFL students’ speaking. The NHCE e-learning platform can provide a motivating environment for L2 students to practice spoken English. However, the empirical results showed that the use of online audio chat facility to perform the CRP may make some students feel anxious, due to its synchronized nature. This suggests that its use should be carefully considered in relation to divergent groups of learners.

Teaching French Phonetics in a Digital Language Lab

This chapter evaluates the pedagogical significance of a digital language lab as part of a university course in French phonetics. Based on both quantitative and qualitative evidence, it argues that a computer-assisted context can have positive effects on students’ mastery of phonetic structures, as well as their overall engagement with the instructional process. Using empirical data from a set of controlled readings, the authors demonstrate that measurable progress was made by participants in their use of two targeted phenomena; unstable e and resyllabification. Furthermore, these conclusions are reinforced by feedback from a focus group that explored students’ perceptions about how the learning environment contributed to their mastery of course content and classroom technology. While the intrinsic case study format used does not allow for general conclusions regarding correlations between instructional technologies and learning outcomes, it is hoped that the investigation will serve as a productive framework for future research.

Principles and Guidelines for Task Design in CMC Learning

The goal of this chapter is to describe principles and guidelines that are to serve course designers and materials developers as a guide to task design in computer-mediated communication (CMC) learning environments. Drawing on cognitive and sociocultural perspectives, it argues that in task design it is imperative to bring into alignment a range of factors, such as the linguistic and cognitive complexity of the content, goals and outcome, processing conditions, and number of participants, in order to maximize targeted outcomes. The chapter is divided into three sections: First, a brief overview of theoretical perspectives and different design variables is provided. Second, different guidelines that are based on current research on CMC task effects are discussed. Last, the chapter concludes in the appendix with the description of rationales and procedures for 11 different task configurations that are to serve as prototypes and illustrate how task effects can be maximized in CMC-based online language learning.

Combining the Body and Mobile Technology to Teach English Pronunciation

The above research has identified a deficiency in the communication skills of international students, crucial in seeking employment. This chapter proposes various ways of helping committed international students on campus to improve their spoken English language by combining the use of the students’ bodies with mobile technology.