Language Learning
Document Type
Panel Presentation
Keywords
language, online, apprehension
Biography
My name is Hannah Cartwright. I am a cheerleader here at Marshall. I am a Communications major with TESOL certificate. I am studying about how language learners feel nervous in online classes versus face-to-face classes. I am studying if language learners feel more confident in speaking/learning online versus face-to-face.
Major
Organizational Communications
Advisor for this project
Cam Brammer
Abstract
Abstract
The Purpose of the Research:
This study is aimed to assess whether or not learning English online helps students overcome communication apprehension often felt when learning a new language. As communication apprehension can play a significant role when learning a new language, this study assesses how online learning may be more beneficial than regular in classroom studies.
The Scientific or Scholarly Rationale:
Communication apprehension is the anxiety associated with oral communication and the ability to speak and listen, in this case while learning a new language. Anxiety can come across when the student has difficulties speaking with other students or groups. Students often exhibit avoidance behaviors in an attempt to deal with their communication apprehension (MacIntyre and Charos, 1996). When students avoid speaking in the foreign language, they may not learn the language effectively which would hinder their success. Students who feel overly anxious or apprehensive may not fully participate which has been shown to negatively impact their success (Cheng, Horwitz & Schallert, 1999). Therefore, educators must consider strategies and learning tools to help students overcome these avoidance behaviors. Online learning may be a way for students to practice and enhance their language learning while minimizing their communication apprehension.
The Procedures to be Performed:
This qualitative study will collect interview data. International students will be asked to participate in an interview following an interview protocol (See below). The study will measure the participants demographics, their amount of time spent learning English online, and their communication apprehension in their online English courses.
Interview Questions for Participants:
- What are some of the activities that you remember from your English courses? Why do you think you remember them?
- Have you ever felt nervous about communication in an English course? If so what made you feel nervous?
- What are some ways that an online course increases or decreases your anxiety in learning and speaking English?
- How do you think an online course influences the relationship between yourself and your peers?
- How do you think an online course influences the relationship between yourself and your teacher?
The Risks and Potential Benefits of the Research:
There are no risks for participants.
Complete Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria (may be submitted separately if extensive):
Students over the age of 18 who have taken an online course for ELL will be recruited for this study. Participants will be recruited using Facebook and other social media platforms. Participants will need to be at least 18 years old, a non-native speaker of English, and have participated in at least one type of ELL course with an instructor online.
Language Learning
Abstract
The Purpose of the Research:
This study is aimed to assess whether or not learning English online helps students overcome communication apprehension often felt when learning a new language. As communication apprehension can play a significant role when learning a new language, this study assesses how online learning may be more beneficial than regular in classroom studies.
The Scientific or Scholarly Rationale:
Communication apprehension is the anxiety associated with oral communication and the ability to speak and listen, in this case while learning a new language. Anxiety can come across when the student has difficulties speaking with other students or groups. Students often exhibit avoidance behaviors in an attempt to deal with their communication apprehension (MacIntyre and Charos, 1996). When students avoid speaking in the foreign language, they may not learn the language effectively which would hinder their success. Students who feel overly anxious or apprehensive may not fully participate which has been shown to negatively impact their success (Cheng, Horwitz & Schallert, 1999). Therefore, educators must consider strategies and learning tools to help students overcome these avoidance behaviors. Online learning may be a way for students to practice and enhance their language learning while minimizing their communication apprehension.
The Procedures to be Performed:
This qualitative study will collect interview data. International students will be asked to participate in an interview following an interview protocol (See below). The study will measure the participants demographics, their amount of time spent learning English online, and their communication apprehension in their online English courses.
Interview Questions for Participants:
- What are some of the activities that you remember from your English courses? Why do you think you remember them?
- Have you ever felt nervous about communication in an English course? If so what made you feel nervous?
- What are some ways that an online course increases or decreases your anxiety in learning and speaking English?
- How do you think an online course influences the relationship between yourself and your peers?
- How do you think an online course influences the relationship between yourself and your teacher?
The Risks and Potential Benefits of the Research:
There are no risks for participants.
Complete Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria (may be submitted separately if extensive):
Students over the age of 18 who have taken an online course for ELL will be recruited for this study. Participants will be recruited using Facebook and other social media platforms. Participants will need to be at least 18 years old, a non-native speaker of English, and have participated in at least one type of ELL course with an instructor online.
