ESL Website Evaluation

WEBSITE EVALUATION

http://www.manythings.org.com

Web Site Description

This web site is for people studying English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL). There are quizzes, word games, word puzzles, proverbs, slang expressions, anagrams, a random-sentence generator and other computer assisted language learning activities. Even though the primary focus is for ESL, native English speakers may also find some interesting things on this site. This site is non-commercial and has no advertising. TESL/TEFL teachers may want to recommend this site to their students.

1. What does the application attempt to ‘teach’?

As a fun study site for ESL learners, the objective of the whole application is to create a fun learning experience that allows young learners (aged 10-15 years old) to practice all the components of language they need to acquire in order to master the language. It attempts to teach ESL learners to develop their language skills by practicing their existing knowledge of the language. The application comprises of 7 main features in language learning including listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well as other important components of language such as grammar, vocabulary, slang, and proverbs.

2. What sort of things are the application user expected to do with regards to learning content?

3. What sort of computer skills are the application user expected to have in order to operate/access/use the application?

Though the application involves a lot of language games and activities, it does not need elaborated computer skills from the users to access the application. It only requires users to master the very basic computer skills such as typing and using other electronic application in the computer (e.g. Windows Media Player). Hence, the application is very user-friendly and motivating, especially for young ESL learners.

4. While you are ‘playing’/ ’accessing’/ ‘assessing’ the application, does it remind you of anything you do in a classroom, or with a teacher, or with a fellow classmate, or in self-study?

While playing, accessing, and assessing the application, I found that the application is more of a self-study material. The application provides activities that give learners the opportunity to practice and polish up on their language skills. The application does not really remind me of classroom activities conducted by teachers; though there are several activities that are usually integrated in classroom lessons as cooperative language games (e.g. word puzzle and matching quizzes). Instead, the activities featured in the application encourage self-access learning by individual learners. Learners get the opportunity to practice a language skill and learn by correcting their own mistakes as they work on the activities.

5. Can you pinpoint some theories of language learning applied to the chosen website?

There are two primary theories of language learning applied in this chosen website. Firstly, the behaviorist theory of language learning; the activities in the application mostly aims to reinforce learners’ existing knowledge and skills in English. Most of the activities, especially for listening and speaking skills, promote learning by habit formation in attempt to strengthen learners’ skills. Secondly, the constructivist theory of language learning is another underlying theory for the activities in the website. The activities allow learners to gain and practice the language as they complete the tasks given. For instance, in grammar and vocabulary activities, learners are given the chance to try and error their knowledge. By doing so, either directly or indirectly, learners pick up all the intended learning outcomes of the activities.

6. How well is the constructivist theory of learning applied in the chosen website?

The constructivist theory of learning is a prominent theory applied in the chosen website. From the learners’ engagement in the activities to the learners’ attempt in completing the tasks given, the constructivist theory of learning has been very well applied. As the website is more of a self-study application, it encourages learners to learn via their own experience in accessing to the knowledge embedded in each activity. The website also promotes a positive learning environment and supports the 3S learning concept – Self-Access, Self-Directed, and Self-Paced. Learners have the opportunity to learn on their own, as well as being aware and responsible of their own learning. In other words, it will enhance their Meta learning ability.

7. In 1980s and early 1990s, there was a major debate on “whether the computer was ‘master’ of or a ‘slave’ to the learning process” (Higgins and Johns, 1984). In relation to your evaluation – was the computer a replacement for teachers, or merely an obedient servant to the students?

In my opinion, in relation to my evaluation, I agree that computer is a very efficient tool that enhances learners’ progress, in this context, learners’ progress in language learning. Nonetheless, I do not think that computer will ever be a replacement for teachers. Most electronic applications of language learning can only perform the role of ‘reinforcing’ learners’ existing knowledge by giving learners platform to practice their basic language skills. However, computer cannot teach students the way teachers do. It will not be an effective agent to deliver complex knowledge about language, especially because a language needs to be learnt in a cultural, communicative environment. We often see electronic language learning applications merely involve individual language tasks, hence, depriving learners from interactive, communicative language learning.

8. Would you like to use the application yourself in your future work?

Yes? Give reasons:

No? Give reasons:

Yes. I personally think that the website is a very efficient site to be integrated in language teaching in ESL classrooms. I would like to use the application when I am teaching in the school later. It promotes the 3S learning concept that allows learners to access and assess their own learning progress. Apart from promoting independent learning, I believe that the application has fulfilled both the E-factors and the A-factors suggested by Thornbury (2004) in attempt to conduct a meaningful teaching and learning process for teachers and students. The application is helpful for the teacher, as well as interesting for the students; this will lead to effective language teaching and learning.