• English Language & Literature Teaching
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.59-81
• /
• 2009

The primary goal of this paper was to develop a critical point of view to critical pedagogy when applied to EFL contexts. Critical pedagogy is more concerned about how language can affect personal and social change of teachers and students than it is with how to teach language effectively or in ways that encourage critical thinking on the part of teacher and students. For this goal, this paper introduces the definition, emergence and major constructs of critical pedagogy in a broad way at first. Then, this paper presents how critical pedagogy has an impact on ELT, focusing on how critical pedagogy is applied in ELT contexts and why the application of critical pedagogy in EFL can be criticized, through the review of empirical studies. Reflection of Korean English teaching situation and applicational difficulties of critical pedagogy in Korean ELT are followed.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.51-66
• /
• 2005

This study investigates the feasibility of incorporating student evaluations of peer review interactions into the course grade for an EFL writing course. The use of such evaluations offers a way to grade the process of writing more directly than using writing portfolios alone. Moreover, evaluating peer review interactions highlights the social aspect of writing, which is valuable in the current post-process climate in writing instruction. The 18 members of a semester-long EFL writing course at a Korean university were trained in peer response for one half of a semester; then performed evaluations of peer review interactions during the second half of the semester as part of their writing course. Student evaluations were examined to reveal whether any bias occurred due to relative age, gender, major, or question type. The results revealed no such biases. Therefore, it is suggested that students are capable of providing fair evaluations of peers, which means the evaluations can be factored into the course grade in order to evaluate the social aspect of the writing process.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
• /
• v.48
• /
• pp.223-252
• /
• 2017

This study explores effects of two types of chatbots - voice-based and text-based - on Korean EFL learners' speaking competence and learner perception. Participants were 80 freshmen students taking an English-speaking class at a university in Korea. They were divided into two experimental groups at random. During the sixteen-week experimental period, participants engaged in 10 chat sessions with the two different types of chatbots. To take a close examination of effects on the improvement of speaking competence, they took the TOEIC speaking test as pre- and post-tests. Structured questionnaire-based surveys were conducted before and after treatment to determine if there are changes in perception. Findings reveal two chatbots effectively contribute to improvement of speaking competence among EFL learners. Particularly, the voice-based chatbot was as effective as the text-based chatbot. An analysis of survey results indicates perception of chatbot-assisted language learning changed positively over time. In particular, most participants preferred voice-based chatbot over text-based chatbot. This study provides insight on the use of chatbots in EFL learning, suggesting that EFL teachers should integrate chatbot technology in their classrooms.

• Journal of Korea Game Society
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.7-16
• /
• 2016

This research aims to suggest a gamified smart learning design for Korean EFL young learners' speaking proficiency. Gamification is the use of game-thinking and game mechanics in non-game contexts to engage users in solving problems. Thus, the gamified smart learning as gamification in education is designed not only to elicit students' participation but also to enhance speaking skills. Especially, this research based on the results of a pilot study is focused on easing the burden of homework as well as engaging the speaking English game for the primary students with a relatively short attention span. The game elements utilized in this study are competition, rewards, customized characterization and so on. Kakao Talk is selected for this gamified smart learning research because of its ease of accessibility, and multiple applicable functions for language learning such as voice recording, text messaging and sharing videos or photos. Gamification in smart learning can be a means of productive approach to contemporary EFL teaching and learning.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.365-389
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study is to present the task model that is the most effective in English language methodology based on the investigation of task-based performance in Korean EFL classroom practice. The subjects were 538 high school students and 126 high school teachers, each of whom had common experiences using the materials of task-based activities for more than one year. To analyze the data, the program SPSS WIN 11.0 including frequency distribution and chi-square analysis was used. The results of the questionnaire analysis showed that both teachers and students had a comparatively high level of satisfaction in task rationale, but that they had some mixed responses in the fields of input data, settings, and activity types. To conclude, a few suggestions are made to provide some meaningful considerations for the EFL teachers and material developers: a) task goals and rationale that encourage the learner's positive motivation; b) authenticity of input data based on the real-world context; c) collaborative learning environment that enhances communicative interaction; d) proportional representation of the creative problem-solving activities related to discussions and decision-making processes; e) systematic introduction of integrated language skills. It also suggests that the multi-lateral task model, which has some positive assets compared to previous task models, be newly introduced and applied to the second language learning classrooms.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.19-34
• /
• 2010

This study investigates how EFL learners' chunking ability both in oral and silent reading affects reading comprehension, and how the chunking ability in silent reading relates to that of oral reading. The participants of this study consisted of 30 Korean university students taking a required 'English Reading' course. Chunking is a technique of grouping words into meaningful syntactic units for better understanding. Chunking was measured from pauses in oral reading. Results of this study suggest that the participants who can chunk properly both orally and silently display better comprehension of texts in general. However, chunking in silent reading was found to be a stronger indicator of improved reading comprehension. Also, the chunking skills in silent reading showed a statistically strong correlation with those observed in oral reading, suggesting that the chunking ability in silent reading may develop in parallel with that of oral reading. Oral as well as silent reading should be continuously practiced to improve reading comprehension of all levels of EFL learners, including low levels of learners. There is also a need to encourage students to read aloud with appropriate prosodic cues to help them read in meaningful units of words, therefore increasing EFL learners' comprehension not only in reading but also in listening.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.209-216
• /
• 2005

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of web-based cyber instruction on EFL learning from the viewpoint of learners` perceptions and needs. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey that was carried out with 709 undergraduate student enrolled in three cyber English courses offered at N university during the secind semester in 2004. The results of the study indicated that the learners exhibited a positive attitude towards web-based cyber instruction and considered it a paper educational method in the cyber age. However, the students perceived that web-based cyber instruction was not greatly satisfactory in terms of cultivating their English communicative competence or improving the language skills they needed. It was also found that cyber instruction was still teacher-dominant, lacking in interaction, which made the students passive recipients of informaton presented. In comparison with off-line instruction, cyber instruction was not particularly better in enhancing their motivation interest or concentration on class. To be more effective, cyber instruction needs to be equipped not only with a large variety of contents and class activities, but also with more exposure to authentic language by native English speakers. The finding of the investigation yield some implications for the design and development of web-based cyber EFL programs.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.80-84
• /
• 2006

Motivated by the fact that cluster reduction strategies such as inserting a vowel or deleting a consonant in resolving English complex clusters differ depending on studies, this paper investigates the repair strategies employed by Korean EFL students. A total of 60 college students participated in the present study and the participants' production of English voiceless word-initial and word-final clusters was measured using the materials designed for this study. It has been shown that prosodic positions such as onset and coda and the number of cluster sequences influenced cluster reduction strategies. The error rates of both insertion and deletion were noticeably higher in the coda position than in the onset position and both insertion and deletion error rates were higher in triconsonatal cluster than in biconsonantal cluster sequences. Overall, the insertion rate was higher than the deletion rate. However, the deletion rate was significantly higher than the insertion rate in triconsonantal coda cluster sequences. Because of this, the deletion rate was higher than the insertion rate for triconsonantal cluster sequences across onset and coda. Also, the high deletion rate of triconsonantal coda clusters contributed to the high deletion rate for the coda clusters in general.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.375-387
• /
• 2022

One of the latest teaching strategies is smart classroom teaching. Teaching is carried out with the assistance of smart teaching technologies to improve teacher-student contact, increase students' learning autonomy, and give fresh ideas for the fulfillment of students' deep learning. Computer-based technology has improved students' language learning and significantly motivating them to continue learning while also stimulating their creativity and enthusiasm. However, the difficulties and barriers that many EFL instructors are faced on seeking to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) into their instruction have raised discussions and concerns regarding ICT's real worth in the language classroom. This is a case study that includes observations in the classroom, field notes, interviews, and written materials. In EFL classrooms, both computer-based and non-computer-based activities were recorded and analyzed. The main instrument in this study was a survey questionnaire comprising 43 items, which was used to examine the efficiency of ICT integration in teaching and learning in public schools in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 101 questionnaires were delivered, while each responder being requested to read the statements provided. The total number of respondents for this study was 101 teachers from Kuala Lumpur's public secondary schools. The questionnaire was randomly distributed to respondents with a teaching background. This study indicated the accuracy of utilizing Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization (TLBO) in analyzing the survey results and potential for students to learn English as a foreign language using computers. Also, the usage of foreign language may be improved if real computer-based activities are introduced into the lesson.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.51-78
• /
• 2006

This research conducted between March and December of 2005 has focused on analyzing a diverse range of educational services provided by English native-speaking instructors teaching in Korea. This study includes quantitative research findings from 238 university students. This dual-semester research study focuses on our most recent Korean EFL (English as a Foreign Language) programs provided for university students who wish to improve their English ability. Many students hope to partake in lectures taught by Native English Speaking teachers (hereafter NS teachers), and many universities are also willing to open additional courses for these students. However, in order for lectures to be most effective, NS instructors need to be appropriately trained or qualified teachers in order to successfully educate their students. Furthermore, NS teachers need to constantly review their teaching styles and strategies to allow for professional development and to ensure an improvement in their teaching methodology. Overall, this research provides whole English lecture views of NS teachers that is data-driven regarding designing, implementing, evaluating, and reforming the education of English taught by NS teachers working in Korea.