The article deals with the concept of student-centred Personal Learning Environment (PLE) in the context of higher education, which is used as a means of transforming foreign language learning and teaching practices. It aims to reveal the opportunities for creating PLEs through incorporating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the process of foreign language education. The study focuses on the roles of teachers and students of non-language University majors in designing efficient learning environments highly adapted to changing objectives and student personal needs. The authors reveal the unlimited potential of ICT in constructing PLEs for both in-class activities and informal learning, providing a scope of practical student activities, which imply their active engagement both in and outside the classroom, as well as constructing a flexible, personalized, time and space independent learning environment. Students, teachers, ICT, which is a set of resources based on the use of educational technology tools thoroughly selected and organised in order to manage the content, applying relevant methods of teaching and learning strategies, as well as a learning process, are all regarded as constituents of PLEs aimed at mastering four foreign language skills when taking the course “Foreign Language for Specific Purposes”: reading, listening, writing and speaking within personal, academic, and field-related contexts.
This paper is aimed at resolving the problem of inadequate level of foreign language proficiency of students in non-language institutions of higher education and discussing effective approaches and methods to improve foreign language instruction at tertiary schools. An analysis of the problem by means of mixed research methods revealed the need to create positive and motivating foreign language learning environment on the basis of preliminary diagnosis through the evidence-based instructional strategies and assessment tools that make a difference in student achievements. The authors substantiate the expediency of applying differentiated instruction as a means of fostering foreign language learning by students of non-language majors, which was proved by the results of the conducted experiment. 116 Bachelor students of the National University of Water and Environmental Engineering in their first year of study took part in the experiment, which was held in academic years 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. The experiment started with the placement test, the results of which allowed grouping first-year students according to their prior knowledge of English into different groups from A1 to B2 CEFR levels. The differentiated instruction was performed in homogenous groups by means of the level-relevant content and materials, teaching methods and assessment tools. The research findings allowed the authors to contribute to improving the course design, implementing differentiated lessons, choosing appropriate teaching methods and gathering feedback. The conducted experiment also helped draw conclusions on the improvement of foreign language learning under newly created conditions, adding to high rate of productivity and flexibility of learning paths. An analysis of the experimental data showed that differentiated instruction can significantly increase students' motivation to foreign language acquisition and learning outcomes.
The article deals with the impact of reflective practice questionnaires on Language for Specific Purposes teaching and learning at the tertiary education level. Reflection was recognized as an essential factor for improving teaching quality and students’ motivation to develop their skills in both native and target languages. To convey this idea, there was conducted a multistage survey to identify students’ language awareness and learning abilities, to examine their reflection on the course design and teacher’s performance, as well as to monitor their progress throughout the course. There was described a survey procedure with the samples of questionnaires to be used. The obtained findings allowed assessing the process of enhancing the quality of teaching and achieving learning outcomes by students. The authors suggested some practical techniques to help teachers apply meaningful strategies and guide their students through reflective learning by making them active participants in constructing knowledge and educational experiences.
The article deals with the impact of reflective practice questionnaires on Language for Specific Purposes teaching and learning at the tertiary education level. Reflection was recognized as an essential factor for improving teaching quality and students’ motivation to develop their skills in both native and target languages. To convey this idea, there was conducted a multistage survey to identify students’ language awareness and learning abilities, to examine their reflection on the course design and teacher’s performance, as well as to monitor their progress throughout the course. There was described a survey procedure with the samples of questionnaires to be used. The obtained findings allowed assessing the process of enhancing the quality of teaching and achieving learning outcomes by students. The authors suggested some practical techniques to help teachers apply meaningful strategies and guide their students through reflective learning by making them active participants in constructing knowledge and educational experiences.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.