AsiaCALL Online Journal

Hidden impacts and stereotypes of technology in language learning

Andrew Lian — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

This is a short reflective piece consisting of two parts. The first relates to the connection between society, technology and language learning and the second highlights a stereotype of the language teaching profession which is hidden and somewhat problematic especially in the context of technology use in language teaching.

Utilizing YouTube to Enhance English Speaking Skill: EFL Tertiary Students’ Practices and Perceptions

Truong Ngoc Khanh Van, Le Quang Thao — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

In the 4.0 era, social media are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. For better learning, one way is to utilize these platforms, one of which is YouTube. This study aims to investigate the practices and perceptions of EFL university students who use the YouTube platform to boost their English-speaking skills. The study included a total of 106 EFL university students from various classes in different academic school years. The research used a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview as instruments to collect quantitative and qualitative data and determine the level of perceptions and practices. The findings reveal that EFL tertiary students can improve their English speaking skills when learning with the YouTube platform. The results also show that students recognized YouTube as a helpful tool in the learning process when they needed to practice and improve their speaking skills. Based on the study's findings, the researchers suggest that EFL students use the YouTube platform to improve their speaking skills. Following this, there are some recommendations for further research into YouTube platform utilization.

The Effects of MS PowerPoint on Students at a Malaysian University in the English for Professionals (EFP) Classrooms

Yim San NG, Abegunde Theophilus Ranti — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The use of Microsoft PowerPoint (a form of multimedia) presentations in classroom instruction has significantly increased globally on both online and offline platforms. This study examines the perception of “English for Professionals (EFP)” students toward the usage of MS PowerPoint in the classrooms for delivering lectures and the effects of MS PowerPoint on students' learning. Questionnaires were used to conduct a quantitative survey. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the results of this quantitative research. The results illustrate the students' positive attitude toward lectures presented with MS PowerPoint slides. While the majority of the students were receptive, a significant percentage held an indifferent view. The implication is that while MS PowerPoint is a dominant tool in teaching, there is a need to understand the factors behind the neutral reception, whether they are in the tool itself, the application by the educators, or the expertise of the educators in developing the slides.

Correlation between Internet Literacy and Vocabulary Level

Joseph P. Casibual Jr , Julrem B. Nacua — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

In-depth research on reading comprehension receives less attention in basic education, despite the fact that the problem is just as critical, if not more so, in this pandemic era. This study aims to learn the dynamics of reading comprehension to draw a conclusion on the phenomenon. Terry (2022) observed a strong connection between vocabulary and reading comprehension. However, meager studies have correlated two variables – Internet Literacy (IV) and Vocabulary Level (DV) – with combined implications for Reading Comprehension. With the globalization of online learning, urban demography's visibility was catered with 83 Senior High School students as respondents. The data revealed a low correlation. Generally, the high mean for online literacy and high mean in the performed evaluation showed the participants' awareness of how to use the digital side of learning and a decent vocabulary level. Null Hypothesis II was accepted in this research. Interestingly, this low correlation could be affected by the students' internal and external strategies, which created an impetus for their reading comprehension aside from digital utilization.

Effectiveness of Multimedia and Text-Based Reading Approaches to Grade 10 Students’ Reading Comprehension Skills

Malyn Pahuyo Vidal — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Reading Comprehension skill is essential for learners to achieve a certain standard level. It is multifaceted that it connects to all other skills like writing, listening, and speaking. Thus, the interconnectedness of reading and comprehension encapsulates the students’ overall reading abilities. The core of this study was to find out whether multimedia and text-based reading approaches are effective in improving Grade 10 students’ reading comprehension skills. The participants were 132 Grade 10 students in a public school in Misamis Oriental. Sixty-six (66) students were exposed to multimedia reading (experimental group) and sixty-six (66) students to text-based reading (control group). The study yielded the following findings: (1) Reading comprehension skills of both groups increased gradually in all reading comprehension components as revealed in the post-test data reflected in the overall mean; (2) there is a significant difference in all reading comprehension components Identifying vocabulary, Sequencing events, Identifying main idea and key details, and Making inferences; in the overall skills of both groups with the post-test having higher means; (3) both groups revealed a significant difference in the overall result increment. This study further claims that multimedia and text-based reading approaches contribute to the enhancement of the participants’ reading comprehension skills. For the suggestion, having a variety of techniques to teach reading will be quite beneficial to improve students’ reading comprehension skills, especially in this time of pandemic where alternative delivery modalities had been implemented.