BLENDED LEARNING AND ITS POTENTIAL IN EXPANDING VOCABULARY KNOWLEDGE: A CASE STUDY

• Authors: Monika Pazio
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

This case study investigates the effectiveness of the application of the blended approach to teaching a foreign language. The approach can be defined as a combination of a face-to-face classroom component with online instruction (Graham 2003). In the present study the element that was blended within the face-to-face component was asynchronous computer mediated communication in the form of e-mail exchanges between a native speaker of English and a Polish learner of English. The effectiveness of the approach was measured in terms of expanding vocabulary knowledge. The findings revealed that e-mail correspondence treated as an integral part of a language course helped the student to expand her vocabulary, eliminate the majority of spelling mistakes and influenced the complexity of her writing.

Keywords

EN

blended learning; vocabulary acquisition

• Publisher: IATEFL Poland Computer Special Interest Group & University of Nicosia
• Journal: Teaching English with Technology
• Year: 2010
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 3-30

Contributors

author

Monika Pazio

• Jagiellonian University Cracow, Poland

References

• Akkoyunlu, B., & Soylu, M. Y. (2008). A study of student's perceptions in a blended learning environment based on different learning styles. Educational Technology & Society, 11 (1), 183-193.
• Delialioglu, O., & Yildirim, Z. (2007). Student’s perceptions of effective dimensions of interactive learning in a blended learning environment. Educational Technology & Society, 10 (2), 133-146.
• Dudeney, G.. (2000). The Internet and the Language Classroom. A Practical Guide for Teachers. Cambridge: CUP.
• Fahri, P. Rosenfeld M. (1998). American Pop Penetrates Worldwide. The Washington Post. Retrieved June 15, 2008, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/mia/part1.htm
• Garton Ash, T. (2008). Can we have world-class universities as well as social justice in education? Retrieved May 15, 2008 from http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/may/29/educationnews
• Gender equality 'is decades away'. (2006). Retrieved June 10, 2008, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4582878.stm
• Giles, H., & Ogay, T. (2007). Communication Accomodation Theory. In C. B. Whaley & W. Samter (Eds.), Explaining Communication. Contemporary Theories and Exemplars (pp. 326-344). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Giles, H., & Wiemann, J. M. (1987). Language, social comparison and power. In C. R. Berger & S. H. Chaffee (Eds.), The Handbook of Communication Science (pp. 350-384). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
• Gonglewski et al. (2001) Using e-mail in foreign language teaching: rationale and suggestions. The Internet TESL Journal, 8, 3. Retrieved October 3, 2007, from http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Meloni-Email.html
• Gore, A. (2006). An inconvenient truth. Movie trailer. Retrieved March 6, 2008, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnjx6KETmi4
• Graham, C. (2004). Blended Learning systems: definition, current trends, and future directions. In C. R. Bonk and C. Graham (Eds.). Handbook of Blended Learning: Global Perspectives, Local Design (pp. 5-37). San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer Publishing.
• Harvey, P., & Jones, R. (2002). Britain Explored. London: Longman.
• Johnston, O et al. (2000). Ideas and Issues. London: Macmillan Languagehouse.
• Jones, D. & Veliu, M. (2007). Here come the fake Polish brides. Retrieved June 15, 2008, from http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=here-come-the-fake-polish-brides--&method=full&objectid=18906983&siteid=93463-name_page.html
• Kilickaya, F. (2007). The effect of computer assisted language learning on Turkish learners’ achievement on the TOEFL exam. Teaching English with Technology, 7 (1). Retrieved May, 26, 2007, from http://www.iatefl.org.pl/call/j_soft27.htm
• Krajka, J. (2002). Nauczanie języka obcego w Sieci - wykorzystanie Internetu jako alternatywy dla podręcznika. In W. Stryjewski & W. Skrzydlewski (Eds.) Media a Edukacja (pp. 321-241). Poznań: emPi2.
• Kelm, O. S. (1996). The application of computer networking in foreign language education: focusing on principles of second language acquisition. In M. Warschauer (Ed.). Telecollaboration in Foreign Language Learning (pp. 19-28). Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press.
• MacAndrew, R, R Martinez. (2001). Taboos and Issues. London: Thomson Heinle.
• McGuire, A. (2006). Why we are banning ageism. Retrieved June 11, 2008, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/business/5326774.stm
• Miss Sister 2008: Beauty Contest For Nuns? (2008). Retrieved June 15, 2008, from http://breakthroughtogod.wordpress.com/2009/04/19/miss-sister-2008-beauty-contest-for-nuns/
• Mossavar-Rahmani, F., Larson-Daugherty, C. (2007). Supporting the Hybrid Learning Model: a new proposition. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 3 (1), 67-78. Retrieved September 10, 2009 from http://jolt.merlot.org/vol3no1/larson-daugherty.htm.
• Nation, I.S.P. (2001). Learning Vocabulary in Another Language. Cambridge: CUP.
• O’Dowd, R. (2003). Understanding ‘the Other Side’: a qualitative analysis of intercultural learning in a Spanish-English e-mail exchange. Language Learning and Technology, 7 (3). Retrieved January 11, 2007, from http://llt.msu.edu/vol7num2/odowd/default.html
• Polish exodus shrinks job queue. (2006). Retrieved June 11, 2008, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/business/5245946.stm
• Schmitt, N. (2000). Vocabulary in Language Teaching. Cambridge: CUP.
• St. John, E., & Cash, D. (1995). Language learning via e-mail: Demonstrable success with German. In M. Warschauer (Ed.). Virtual Connections: Online Activities and Projects for Networking Language Learners (pp.191-197). Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai’i, Second Language Teaching and Curriculum Center.
• UK unemployment total rises again. (2006). Retrieved June 11, 2008, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/business/4715446.stm
• Warschauer, M. (1995). Comparing face-to-face and electronic discussion in the second language classroom. CALICO Journal, 13(2 & 3), 7-26.
• Warschauer, M., & D., Healey. (1998). Computers and language learning: An overview. Language Teaching, 31, 57-71.
• Why we believe Americans are stupid. Retrieved May 15, 2007, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6r1IcY1pv0&feature=PlayList&p=4CBF1FEE217056E9&index=1