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The Impact of Synchronous Computer-Mediated Communication (S-CMC) on the Oral Proficiency of Iranian EFL Learners
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Abbas Ali Rezai   , Nushin Zafari |
| University of Tehran |
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Abstract: (6894 Views) |
| The present study is an attempt to investigate whether online dyadic text-based discussion can help language learners develop their oral proficiency due to the fact that classroom interaction barriers have been eliminated and a less threatening, less stressful environment for learner-learner interaction has been created. A total of 30 college freshmen students at the University of Tehran participated in weekly online discussions using the 'Yahoo Messenger' platform for dyadic discussions during six consecutive weeks. The results of participants' oral proficiency test showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the learners' scores in the pre-test and those in the post-test. In addition, the results of both questionnaires and oral proficiency tests employed in the present study showed that online discussion (S-CMC) is more beneficial for the linguistically insecure and shy learners as well as those who had positive attitudes toward online discussion. Moreover, analysis of learners' chat logs regarding the number of turns and number of words per student per session indicated that learners' participation in dyadic online discussion was not equal. This is, in fact, in contrast to what has been reported in previous studies done in this field. |
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| Keywords: Computer Mediated Communication (CMC), Synchronous Computer Mediated Communication (S-CMC), Online Communication, Peer Communication, Interaction, Yahoo Messenger |
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Full-Text [PDF 92 kb]
(3325 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Published: 2010/09/15
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