Attitudes of Jordanian university students towards using online chat discourse with native speakers of English for improving their language proficiency

Authors: Mahfouz, Safi¹; Ihmeideh, Fathi²

Source: Computer Assisted Language Learning, Volume 22, Number 3, July 2009 , pp. 207-227(21)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

This study aims to investigate Jordanian university students' attitudes towards using video and text chat discourse with anonymous native speakers of English to improve their English proficiency. To achieve this aim, a questionnaire was designed. The study sample consisted of 320 university students enrolled in two Jordanian universities. Results revealed that students' attitudes towards using video and text chat with English native speakers for improving their English language skills were higher concerning speaking skills, followed by listening skills, reading skills and finally writing skills. Furthermore, results indicated that there were statistically significant differences amongst students, which are attributed to their gender, the faculty they are enrolled in, the chat messenger mode they use most frequently and their seniority of study at university. In light of the aforementioned results, the researchers proposed a number of pedagogical recommendations.

Keywords: online chat; native speakers of English; synchronous computer-mediated-communication; language proficiency

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09588220902920151

Affiliations: 1: Faculty of Educational Sciences, UNRWA University, Jordan 2: Queen Rania Faculty for Childhood, Hashemite University, Jordan

Publication date: 2009-07-01