ERIC Number: EJ770686
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2003-Jun
Pages: 19
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0268-0513
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Challenge for the Developer: Issues of Interactivity and Linguistic-Cognitive Appropriateness in English Language Learning
Poon, Anita Y. K.
Open Learning, v18 n2 p135-153 Jun 2003
It is argued that language learning ought to be interactive. The traditional language classroom provides a favourable interactive situation for language learners. By contrast, the distance education mode is limited in some ways regarding language learning. Necessarily, distance education involves, primarily, self-learning. Face-to-face learning opportunities are scant compared with traditional classroom-based learning. It is, therefore, a challenge for language professionals to explore new ways of teaching language, the speaking skills in particular, within the constraints of the distance education mode. Being able to master English--an increasingly important international language--provides a key to information and learning societies in the 21st century. In this paper, I will suggest some ways of maximizing the amount of interactive activities in English language distance learning, based on my work-based experience as a course developer of a new English enhancement course offered by the Open University of Hong Kong. I will focus on the development of listening and speaking skills, which are in fact the most problematic areas--the speaking skill, in particular, involves two-way communication. I will consider the issue from the perspectives of learners' motivation, peer support and technological support. Finally, I will present findings of a survey on the learners and tutors' feedback on the teaching materials of this new English language enhancement course. Evaluation of EL210 Course Materials are appended. (Contains 2 notes.)
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Teaching Methods, Oral Language, Open Universities, English (Second Language), Second Language Instruction, Distance Education, Second Language Learning, Interaction, Listening Skills, Student Motivation, Learning Motivation, Student Attitudes, Surveys, Feedback, Tutors, Instructional Materials
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Hong Kong
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A