The EuroCALL Review - Vol 24, No 1 (2016)
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Articles
- The Future of Foreign Language Instructional Technology: BYOD MALL
- Why and how do distance learners use mobile devices for language learning?
- Variations in motivation, anxiety and boredom in learning English in Second Life
- Creating an avatar to become a "spect-actor" of one’s learning of English for specific purposes
Project
- EMMA: Towards multicultural learning
Recommended app
- Aba English App
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- PublicationWhy and how do distance learners use mobile devices for language learning?(Universitat Politècnica de València, 2016-11-14) Demouy, Valérie; Jones, Ann; Kan, Qian; Kukulska-Hulme, Agnes; Eardley, Annie[EN] Most of the literature on mobile language learning is located in classroom contexts, and often concerns the use of resources developed by teachers or researchers. However, we also need to understand learner initiated practices, in informal as well as formal settings, where mobile language learners are increasingly using digital resources. In this paper, we focus on the emerging practices of students learning languages at a distance. Adult students of five languages at different levels were surveyed about using their mobile devices to support their learning as well as their motivations in doing so. We also draw on eight follow-up interviews. We discuss the learners’ preferred activities, the resources and apps that they use, and also their motivations for their mobile language practices. These distance learners are very aware of how their devices provide them with high exposure to their target language and the importance of such exposure. They also use their mobile devices to introduce variety into their learning and to make it enjoyable. This knowledge of self-directed learners’ practices is extremely valuable in informing educators about how mobile devices feature in language learning and can be harnessed in contributing to it.
- PublicationThe Future of Foreign Language Instructional Technology: BYOD MALL(Universitat Politècnica de València, 2016-11-14) Burston, Jack[EN] This paper describes trends in instructional technology that are influencing foreign language teaching today and that can be expected to increasingly do so in the future. Though already an integral part of foreign language instruction, digital technology is bound to play an increasing role in language teaching in the coming years. The greatest stimulus for this will undoubtedly be the accessibility of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL), made possible through the exploitation of mobile devices owned by students themselves. The ubiquitous ownership of smartphones and tablet computers among adolescents and adults now makes a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) approach a feasible alternative to desktop computer labs. Making this work, however, especially in a financially and technologically restricted environment, presents a number of challenges which are the focus of this paper.
- PublicationEMMA: Towards multicultural learning(Universitat Politècnica de València, 2016-11-14) Kerr, Ruth; Merciai, Ilaria[EN] Interest on the part of European Institutions to explore the potential of MOOCs for providing the kind of inclusive and multicultural education that was needed for 21st century learners was confirmed by funding of projects such as EMMA (http://www.europeanmoocs.eu). The definition of “European” for the EMMA consortium was based on diversity - of culture, language and approach - and integration of the same. This paper looks at how EMMA is responding to the challenge of embracing diversity and integration in the same technological artefact through the use of embedded translation services, and an experimental PLE. We will also introduce the ad hoc evaluation services that are designed to test the impact of the EMMA concept.
- PublicationCreating an avatar to become a "spect-actor" of one’s learning of English for specific purposes(Universitat Politècnica de València, 2016-05-13) Privas-Bréauté, Virginie[EN] In this article, we shall examine why the creation of avatars in virtual worlds facilitates the learning of business English. We are committed to determining the factors that enable students in a French business school to consolidate their skills in English (from linguistic, socio-linguistic and pragmatic standpoints) and to develop more general competences (such as self-confidence, the management of space and time, interpersonal relationships) through the creation and use of avatars. Our article aims at showing that these skills are then transferable to real communication situations. Our research comes within the scope of a “communic-actional” approach of English learning. It relies on the notions of “distanciation”, “fragmentation” and “spect-actor” of dramaturgs Bertolt Brecht and Augusto Boal, which give a scientific framework to our research
- PublicationABA English App Mobile language learning application for iOS and Android (Review)(Universitat Politècnica de València, 2016-05-13) Seiz, RafaelMobile language learning application for iOS and Android http://www.abaenglish.com/en