Engaging ESP Students with Brain-Based Learning for Improved Listening Skills, Vocabulary Retention and Motivation

Abstract

The concept of teaching and learning has changed drastically over the past few years by the virtue of both research results carried out in the fields of second/Foreign language learning and acquisition. Of all these researches, findings related to the brain structure and functions in cooperation with cognitive aspects of the education process, including the study of learning styles and intelligence have struck the language learning domain. A due understanding of learners' learning styles, emotional preferences as well as their memory functions help teachers to build their teaching practices to optimize students' learning. Brain Based Learning Approach (BBLA) is a natural, motivating, and a positive way that supports and maximizes learning and teaching. The current study implements Brain Based Learning Approach to improve listening skills of Business students, vocabulary retention and establish positive attitudes with regards to their brain dominance and learning styles. To achieve these aims, listening skills test, vocabulary retention test, adapted form of Robert Gardner Motivation Scale, were developed and used. The sample of the study consists of thirty six Business majors. Findings show that Brain Based Learning is an effective approach for developing listening skills, consolidate vocabulary recalling and retention. It also helps maximize motivation towards learning language skills.

دراسة أثر التنمیة المهنیة المستندة إلى الدماغ على التصورات والممارسات التربویة لدى معلمی اللغة الإنجلیزیة کلغة أجنبیة المبتدئین

“…According to the previously mentioned literature and related studies, some conclusions can be stated as follows:  Some of the studies that mentioned BBL as the independent variable did not illustrate the features of the brain-based treatment or how the BBL principles and stages of BCT were implemented and some other studies limited it to using (3-5) strategies (e.g. Lago, & Seepho, 2012;Akyurek, & Afacan, 2013;Nafa, 2013;Abd El-Maksoud, 2016;Salem, 2017;Parnell, 2018). This might indicate deficient understanding and implementation of BBL as it is a comprehensive approach that requires not only diversifying the learning and teaching strategies but also requires considering motivational aspects, managing the learning environment, and refining assessment techniques and tools.…”

Making the Most of Experience: From Syllabus to Textbook Design

“…Of course, mediated learning and novel communication technologies along with the productive use of the Internet should be encouraged in ESP classrooms. Since listening comprehension material and interesting authentic listening material help vocabulary retention (Salem, 2017), teachers" understanding of learners" learning styles may be supported by using infinitely many sources such as podcasts mentioned earlier (www.thenakedscientists. com, www.chemistryworld.com, www.nature.com, https://player.fm/podcasts, etc.)…”

Brain-based learning and high order thinking skills effect on students’ writing ability

“…Oghyanous (2017) found that the effect of brain-based teaching approach toward self-efficacy of EFL students in Iran was significant. Brain-based learning was also proven to be effective in developing listening skills of the students and consolidating the recalling and the retention of the students' vocabulary as well as maximizing the motivation of the students in learning the skills of language (Salem, 2017). This was followed by Khalil et al (2019) whose research result showed that some speaking skills of EFL students were developed because of the effect of the implementation of brain-based learning in the speaking class.…”