This action research study focuses on measuring the impact of a Free Voluntary Reading Program on students' active vocabulary use and self-direction in language learning in two different programs of English as a foreign language. The impetus for this research came from close observation and a needs analysis that confirmed students' reluctant attitude towards reading, due to deficiency in vocabulary, as well as the limited access to books of their interest in the target language. The implementation of the program took place in blended classes in two university contexts, with 14 and 11 students respectively. All the students from both universities were classified in the A1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and their ages ranged from 16-21 years. The data was collected using a pretest and a posttest, students' diaries, pre and post implementation surveys and book reviews. The program attempted to promote extensive reading, self-direction, reading habits, vocabulary gain and a more positive attitude towards written stories.
In foreign language instruction, students are often exposed to computer-mediated testing in international exams and language courses; however, regular classrooms are not equipped with computer labs to offer a lesson coherent with that testing procedure. To fill this gap, mobile-assisted language learning emerges as a portable option for computer-mediated learning and testing. Hence, this action research aims to study the implementation of mobile phones-assisted practice, combined with note-taking, as test-wise and test-management strategies, to tackle the needs of 218 participants who were taking an English as a foreign language program at a Colombian university. In the diagnostic stage, learners expressed that the most difficult computer-assessed skill was speaking, due to lack of confidence and suitable strategies. Findings revealed an improvement in students' oral performance, collaboration levels, and high acceptance of mobile phones-assisted practice as a test preparation tool that facilitates autonomy, metacognition, and peer-feedback.
This educational research-based chapter describes, analyzes, and evaluates the implementation of the class preparation session (The CPS) as a flipped learning strategy in an undergraduate English as a foreign language (EFL) program in Colombia. About 3000 students are enrolled in the EFL program each semester and an average of 40 teachers are in charge of teaching the courses. The chapter describes the process of implementing the CPS strategy and evaluates its efficacy from students' and teachers' perspectives. Participants were requested to take online surveys with the purpose of collecting qualitative and quantitative data about the strengths of the CPS and the challenges encountered its resources. The processes described in this chapter could be adjusted to be used in other institutions. The issues discussed might provide several teaching prospects for teachers and for programs' stakeholders interested in implementing the flipped learning approach.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.