Blog 5

Language Learning Challenge Week 1

Week 1 Summary 

This week I wrote five sentences using the passé composé

I then studied sentence structure using Lingolia and Word Reference to check accuracy as well as completed an additional test on Lingolia. 

To finish the week I then listened to the podcast "News in Slow French."

Week 1 Reflection

I have completed all of the tasks outlined in the original task. I decided to focus on the passé composé and personally I think it was a successful week, the only criticism that I would give myself being that I could stretch to 15 sentences using a tense per week. I feel that the increase is adequate as it is enough to make a difference and reinforce sentence structure in my head while at the same time not being so strenuous that it would impact time for other coursework. Additionally, I completed a test on the passé composé and achieved a passing mark. I enjoyed listening to the podcast as I not only was challenged but found myself being able to pick up when the passé composé was being used. In conclusion, I am under the impression that this format will work for me and help achieve the learning goal of being able to use the French tenses effectively and improve my French listening comprehension. 

Evaluation of Technologies Using Level Three of Chapelle Analysis 

Word Reference 

Language Learning Potential- For word reference the language learning potential (LLP)  is quite low. The criteria for LLP according to Chapelle are; "interactional modification, modification of output, time pressure, modality, support, surprise, control, and stakes." Word reference does not identify strongly to these criteria. It is limited by purely being an information based example of CALL, there are no tasks outlined by the technology itself. 

Learner Fit- I would say that Word reference is an accurate learner fit for me, as I prefer to be independent and develop tasks on the basis of what information I need to learn, rather than just have a task handed to me to do. As mentioned the language learning challenge proposal I am also a visual learner meaning that I am more likely to remember what I read rather than what I hear, an online dictionary is therefore the perfect choice. 

Meaning Focus- As I am mainly using the online dictionary as a means of revising sentence structure and tense, it is possible to say that there is more of a form focus. It may seem counterintuitive as I am literally using a platform designed for finding meaning but it seems to be working for me. Therefore, it can be said that Word Reference scores poorly in meaning focus. 

Authenticity- According to Chapelle, authenticity refers to " the degree of correspondence between an L2 learning task and tasks that the learner is likely to encounter outside of the classroom." Going by this definition there is certainly a lack of authenticity with the online dictionary. 

Positive Impact- Positive impact is the degree to which the CALL task will motivate the student to develop their learning skills outside the classroom. In this respect I think using the online dictionary was effective for me in learning grammatical rules in particular, I am quite an independent learner and anything that involves me listening or watching I will often very quickly lose interest. 

Practicality-  Word Reference is an extremely practical and accessible platform for language learning, subsequently Word Reference scores highly in this criteria. 

Lingolia 

Language Learning Potential- Lingolia is quite similar to Word Reference in this criteria, though I believe it is a little better. Lingolia offers both a more detailed outline of the passé composé and a quiz to take afterwards to measure comprehension. The quiz was quite helpful is it was not just testing the basic forms of the tense as most sites do, there were reflexive verbs and differing structures. I would rate the language learning potential as medium. 

Learner Fit- As with Word Reference, Lingolia fits my preferred learning style perfectly, the work is independent and there is a comprehension test where the results are instaneous. It also fits my personal schedule as it's possible to use while travelling and not so strenuous that I'm stressed out to do, it is actually quite fun which I think is a good sign. 

Meaning Focus- Lingolia scores quite poorly in this criteria as it uses more form-based tasks to teach, for example filling in correct verb tenses. I do not see this as an issue as it's my belief that there is more of a meaning focus in the French workshops I am already attending and hopefully that is enough to be able to learn effectively. 

Authenticity- Lingolia gets another low score for authenticity, as there is little active engagement, however the usage of verb tenses is a everyday  occurrence so I would argue that it is authentic in some way. I do not think that authenticity will play a very big role in whatever technology I use for learning French tenses, it is very much an independent task that does not require all that much communication at the moment. 

Positive Impact- For me Lingolia has definitely had a positive impact , I am motivated to do it again next week as a feel that it has reinforced and strengthened my knowledge of the passé composé. I enjoyed using the technology and am excited to use it again next week. I am therefore giving Lingolia a high mark in positive impact. 

Practicality- It is much the same as Word Reference, it is highly accessible, practical and easy to use, I can't find many faults in Lingolia for my purpose. 

"News in Slow French" Podcast

Language Learning Potential- The language learning potential for the podcast is quite limited in my view, as a tool it is only useful when you have quite a high degree of previous knowledge and access to people you can communicate with in your L2. However, the podcast was very useful in reinforcing what I had learned using Lingolia and word reference, I was able to identify at various points when the passé composé was being used, additionally it undoubtedly helped with listening comprehension. I give the podcast a low to medium mark for the language learning potential criteria. 

Learner Fit- Because I am a visual learner I had a bit more trouble using this technology, I am just too easily distracted, I can't sit still and just listen, I feel like I need to be doing something else at the same time. In saying this however, I will persevere as I feel that in the long run it can only be beneficial for my French listening skills. I will give the podcast a medium ark for this criteria as I need to earn how to listen. 

Meaning Focus- There is a heavy meaning focus as this is purely a listening task, I need to be engaged in order to understand what is going on. Communicative learning has been proven to be the most effective form of learning, so it cannot hurt to have one task focused on communication and understanding meaning. The podcast has a high meaning focus. 

Authenticity- The podcast also scores highly in this criteria as the news, as well as listening comprehension in general is an essential aspect of language and will be useful beyond the classroom. This is by far the most authentic CALL system I will be using in the language learning challenge. 

Positive Impact- Personally I am a lot less motivated to listen to the podcast compared to my willingness to engage with the other two platforms. However, as previously mentioned, I will continue with the use of the podcast as I don't see another more effective way of improving my listening skills. The podcast scores quite low in the positive impact criteria. 

Practicality-  It is every bit as practical as the previous two technologies, its only downfall being that it is hard to follow sometimes and on a few occasions I had to use an online dictionary to figure out what had been said. 

I will be back next week.