Adil Mohammed Hamoud Qadha and Mohammed Ahmed Alward
Using videos in language learning has been investigated in the literature to enhance second language learning. The previous studies have explored the effect of videos on learning…
Abstract
Purpose
Using videos in language learning has been investigated in the literature to enhance second language learning. The previous studies have explored the effect of videos on learning a foreign language, especially vocabulary learning. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of videos on learning present progressive tense in the perspective of semiotics.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 30 Arab English foreign language (EFL) learners participated in the study and were assigned into two groups. The first group was taught present progressive tense with the help of videos (the semiotics group). The second group was taught the same content using a traditional way, i.e. without videos.
Findings
Results of the post-test indicated that participants in the semiotics group outscored the participants who did not learn through videos to learn present progressive tense. The study concluded that using videos is a useful tool to enhance learning present progressive tense.
Originality/value
To the authors’ knowledge, no study has been conducted to examine the effect of semiotics on learning L2 grammar, especially the present progressive tense. Therefore, this study explores the impact of using videos, as a form of semiotics, to help EFL learners learn present progressive tense.
Details
Keywords
Adil Mohammed Qadha, Baleigh Qassem Al-Wasy and Hassan Saleh Mahdi
This study aimed to investigate the impact of social networks on learning requests by Arab undergraduate EFL students.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the impact of social networks on learning requests by Arab undergraduate EFL students.
Design/methodology/approach
Furthermore, both types of requests (i.e. direct and indirect) have been compared under the same condition. A total of 40 Saudi EFL learners participated in this study. Their scores in the pre-test and post-test were compared.
Findings
Results of the post-tests indicated that the experimental groups' performance significantly outscored the control groups. However, no significant difference was reported between the two experimental groups (i.e. direct and indirect).
Originality/value
Requests, as a component of pragmatics, have been investigated extensively in the literature to aid second/foreign language learning. However, little is known about the manner by which social networks could foster learning requests.
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Keywords
Adil Mohammed Qadha and Baleigh Qassem Al-Wasy
This paper aims to examine the impact of using visual grammar on learning participle adjectives by EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the impact of using visual grammar on learning participle adjectives by EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners.
Design/methodology/approach
The study follows an experimental design in which two groups participated in the study. The experimental group used visual grammar tools in learning participle adjectives. The control group was taught the participle adjectives in a traditional way. A pre–post test was designed and presented to the participants in the two groups.
Findings
The results showed that the experimental group made statistically significant improvements in their performance in using participle adjectives due to the use of visual grammar tools.
Research limitations/implications
The current study is only limited to the effect of visual images on a particular grammatical issue, that is participle adjectives. Besides, the study does not include the gender variable; there may be variation in the results depending on the variable of gender.
Practical implications
The present study can provide language instructors with some guidelines on how to incorporate visual grammar applications in teaching grammar aspects. Learners can also be encouraged to have a better understanding of English grammar, using the different connotations of visual images.
Social implications
Using visual images in teaching grammar will increase the learners' ability to think beyond their classroom environment. They can use this experience whenever they face visual images in different societal activities.
Originality/value
This paper is one of the initial attempts to investigate the effect of using visual grammar on learning participle adjectives.