The effects of Internet-assisted Language Learning (IALL) on the development of ESL students' critical thinking skills

Abstract

Abstract:The primary concern of the present research was to investigate the effects of an Internet-Assisted Language Learning (IALL) environment on the development of L2 students' critical thinking skills. A total of 77 students of Diploma in Hotel Management at UiTM Terengganu, Dungun Campus, Malaysia were involved in this study. This sample was divided into three groups, namely full, partial and non-IALL environments. Cornell Critical Thinking Test (CCTT), Level X, was administered as the pre-post-test to measure the development of L2 students' critical thinking skills. The CCTT scores revealed that students who were exposed to the full IALL environment improved significantly in their critical thinking skills as compared to those in the partial and non-IALL environments. When the various sub-skills were measured, the analysis showed that they improved the most in the connecting skill, an element of the higher order thinking skills. The present study concludes that using the Internet in language classrooms helps to create critical ESL students.

The State of Internet-Assisted Language Learning (IALL) Knowledge among English Major Students in a Yemeni Public University

“…Computers and the Internet enhance a student's comprehension level, and skills in reading and speaking, in addition to improving their writing techniques and abilities. On top of improving students' language skills (Mohamad & Daud, 2013), IALL provides numerous advantages for language learners such as facilitating communication, enhancing comprehension, and boosting critical thinking.…”