Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-xbtfd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-20T05:26:19.664Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Courseware integration into task-based learning: a case study of multimedia courseware-supported oral presentations for non-English major students

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 May 2011

Shu-Chiao Tsai
Shu-Chiao Tsai*
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Foreign Languages, National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, No. 415, Chien-Kung Rd., Kaohsiung 80778, Taiwan, R.O.C (email: [email protected])
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This study reports on the integration of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) multimedia courseware for oral presentations into a self-learning and elective program for non-English major students in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) setting. A computer-aided instruction approach, combined with a task-based learning approach, was adopted. Computers played a central role as the means of information delivery. The courseware acted as a silent partner and played the role of a tutor and adjunct teacher to provide students with authentic materials for learning to give English oral presentations in international business and technical settings. It offered a variety of learning activities with instant on-line self-evaluation for students to practice integrative language skills and learn content knowledge. Evaluation of student performance was based upon data from pre- and post-tasks, student questionnaires about concerns, and an open-ended questionnaire. After active participation and self-learning, most of the non-English major students clearly indicated they had made some improvement or progress and felt their learning effectiveness for preparing speech texts was significantly improved. In addition, they had become more concerned about their English ability and the ESP courseware was able to meet their need for greater linguistic support to enhance their language ability.

Keywords

Interactive learningmultimedia courseware integrationtask-based learningEnglish for specific purposesoral presentation
Type
Regular papers
Information
ReCALL , Volume 23 , Issue 2 , 16 May 2011 , pp. 117 - 134
Copyright
Copyright © European Association for Computer Assisted Language Learning 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abraham, L. B. (2008) Computer-mediated glosses in second language reading comprehension and vocabulary learning: A meta-analysis. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 21: 199–226.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
AbuSeileek, A. F. (2007) Cooperative vs. Individual Learning of Oral Skills in a CALL Environment. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 20: 493–514.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Azemi, A. (2008) Using Multimedia Courseware in Engineering Education. http://fie-conference.org/fie96/papers/145.pdf.Google Scholar
Brett, P. (2000) Integrating Multimedia into the Business English Curriculum: A Case Study. English for Specific Purposes, 19: 269–290.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, C., Snodgrass, T., Kemper, S. J., Hermen, R.Covington, M. A. (2008) Covington, Automatic measurement of propositional idea density from part-of-speech tagging. Behavior Research Methods, 40(2): 540–545.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brown, J. S., Collins, A.Duguid, P. (1989) Situated cognition and the culture of learning. Educational Researcher, 18(1): 32–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chang, Y. C., Chang, J. S., Chen, H. J.Liou, H. C. (2008) An automatic collocation writing assistant for Taiwanese EFL learners: A case of corpus-based NLP technology. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 21: 283–299.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chapelle, C. A. (1998) Multimedia CALL: lessons to be learned from research on instructed SLA. Language Learning & Technology, 2: 22–34.Google Scholar
Chen, R. T. (2007) Effects of the English-learning Magazine on Listening and Reading Performances of High and Low English Achievers in Junior High School, M.A. thesis, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Kaohsiung.Google Scholar
Chi, F. M. (1996) Combination of speaking and writing in English teaching: From discussion to debate (NSC No. 852418-HI-94003). Taipei: National Science Council.Google Scholar
Chiu, H. X. (2006) Reading Strategies Used by High and Low English Proficiency Students Studying in the Department of Applied English. M.A. thesis, Southern Taiwan University of Technology.Google Scholar
Covington, M. A. (2007) CPIDR 3 User Manual. CASPR Research Report 2007-03. Artificial Intelligence Center, University of Georgia. http://www.ai.uga.edu/caspr/CPIDR-Manual.pdf.Google Scholar
Crosling, G.Ward, I. (2002) Oral communication: the workplace needs and uses of business graduate employees. English for Specific Purposes, 21: 41–57.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dudley-Evans, T.St John, M. (1998) Developments in ESP: A multi-disciplinary approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Ellis, R. (2006) Methodology of Task-Based Teaching. Proceedings of the Asian EFL Journal International Conference, 2006.Google Scholar
Forey, G.Nunan, D. (2002) The role of language and culture in the workplace. In: Barron, C., Bruce, N.Nunan, D. (eds.), Knowledge and discourse: language ecology in theory and practice. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd, 204–220.Google Scholar
Forey, G. (2004) Workplace texts: do they mean the same for teachers and business people? English for Specific Purposes, 23: 447–469.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Futagi, Y., Deane, P., Chodorow, M.Tetreault, J. (2008) A computational approach to detecting collocation errors in the writing of non-native speakers of English. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 21: 353–367.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Graddol, D. (2006) English Next. The British Council. www.britishcouncil.org/learning-research-english-next.pdf.Google Scholar
Gu, P. (2002) Effects of project-based CALL on Chinese EFL learners. Asian Journal of English Language Teaching, 1(12): 195–210.Google Scholar
Herron, C., Morris, M., Secules, T.Curtis, L. (1995) A comparison of the effects of video-based versus text-based instruction in the foreign language classroom. The French Review, 68: 775–796.Google Scholar
Hsu, H. Y., Wang, S. K.Comac, L. (2008) Using audioblogs to assist English-language learning: an investigation into student perception. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 21: 181–198.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hudson, G. (2000) Essential introductory linguistics. Oxford: Blackwell.Google Scholar
Jeon-Ellis, G., Debski, R.Wigglesworth, G. (2005) Oral interaction around computers in the project-oriented CALL classroom. Language, Learning & Technology, 9(3): 121–125.Google Scholar
Jiménez, P. M.Casado, E. (2004) Electros: development of an educational software for simulations in electrostatic. Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 12: 65–73.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kintsch, W. (1998) Comprehension: A paradigm for cognition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Kumaravadivelu, B. (2003) Beyond Methods. Macro Strategies for Language Teaching. New Haven, London: Yale University Press.Google Scholar
Lai, C. Y. (2005) A study on applied English department students’ needs for taking English for specific purposes courses and students’ perceptions of an effective ESP teacher. Master dissertation, Southern Taiwan University of Technology, unpublished.Google Scholar
Lund, R. J. (1991) A comparison of second language listening and reading comprehension. The Modern Language Journal, 75: 196–204.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mayer, R. E. (2001) Multimedia learning. New York: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mayer, R. E. (2005) The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning. New York: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nunan, D. (1989) Designing tasks for the communicative classroom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Roblyer, M. D. (2003) Integrating educational technology into teaching (3rd ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.Google Scholar
Rogerson-Revell, P. (2007) Using English for International Business: A European case study. English for Specific Purposes, 26: 103–120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Romeo, K. (2008) A web-based listening methodology for studying relative clause acquisition. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 21: 51–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rosenberg, M. J. (2001) E-Learning: Strategies for delivering knowledge in the digital age. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.Google Scholar
Rost, M. (1990) Listening in language learning. Harlow: Longman.Google Scholar
Rubin, J. (1994) A review of second language listening comprehension research. The Modern Language Journal, 78: 199–221.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shamsudin, S.Nesi, H. (2003) Computer-mediated Communication in English for Specific Purposes: A case study with computer science students at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 19: 317–339.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shetzer, H.Warschauer, M. (2000) An electronic literacy approach to network-based language teaching. In: Warschauer, M.Kern, R. (eds.), Network-based language teaching: Concepts and practice. New York: Cambridge, 171–185.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Skehan, P. (1998) A Cognitive Approach to Language Learning. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Takao, A. Y., Prothero, W. A.Kelly, G. J. (2002) Applying argumentation analysis to assess the quality of university oceanography students’ scientific writing. Journal of Geoscience Education, 50: 40–48.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tan, G., Gallo, P., Jacobs, G.Lee, C. (1999) Using cooperative learning to integrate thinking and information technology in a content-based writing lesson. The Internet TESL Journal, 5(8) http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Tan-Cooperative.html.Google Scholar
Thorson, E.Snyder, R. (1984) Viewer recall of television commercials: Prediction from the propositional structure of commercial scripts. Journal of Marketing Research, 21: 127–136.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tsai, S. C. (2009) Courseware Development for Semiconductor Technology and its Application into instruction. Computers & Education, 52: 834–847.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tsai, S. C. (2010) Developing and Integrating Courseware for Oral Presentations into ESP Learning Contexts. Computers & Education, 55: 1245–1258.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tsai, S. C.Davis, B. (2008) The Trade Fair: Introducing ESP Multimedia at a Technical University in Taiwan. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 3: 45–55.Google Scholar
Vygotsky, L. S. (1962) Thought and Language. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Warschauer, M. (1996) Computer Assisted Language Learning: an Introduction. In: Fotos, S., (ed.), Multimedia language teaching. Tokyo: Logos International, 3–20.Google Scholar
Zhang, Z. (2007) Towards an Integrated Approach to Teaching Business English: a Chinese Experience. English for Specific Purposes, 26: 399–410.CrossRefGoogle Scholar