The report is based on an online journal entitled “Language Learning and Language Acquisition in Online Forums” written by Pramela Krish, Supyan Hussin, and Nackeeran Sivapuniam from the School of Language Studies and Linguistics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The study looks on how online forums (OLFs) can give advantages towards English Language Studies (ELS) learners, as modern technologies and virtual learning have made possible for the learners and the teachers to interact with each other.
The study on the utilization of online forums (OLFs) was conducted at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and the sample of the study involved eighteen undergraduate final year students from the School of Language Studies
In order to carry out this research, the researchers made use of a semi-structured interview protocol for the methodology and the interview questions were conducted with three students and then improved by audio recording and transcription for later data analysis which is based on the objectives of the study.
The findings of this research shows that the majority of students agree for online forums to be made as a compulsory course requirement whereby it can help them to improve their English language proficiency and to make them understand the subjects in depth. In addition, the online forums will encourage the students to be engaged in online activities and additional homework.
Not only that, there are other opinions from students who were afraid of making mistakes in writing when participating in online forums as they are majoring in ESL. Thus, it will limit the students’ participation in OLFs. Besides that, the students believe that prompt feedback from the lecturer was needed in order to make them go online, therefore there would be more commitment in online participation. Consequently, the forums would turn into a friendlier mode of communication especially for the students who are introverts in the classroom. By making OLFs into one of the compulsory courses, the introverts can be more expressive virtually compared to when they were in the classroom.
To conclude, the OLFs in language learning and language acquisition is accepted by the ELS students as it can trigger students’ interest in forum discussion. Therefore, the researchers have underlined several conditions for the effective learning by using OFLs. The teachers should know what are the best methods for conducting online forum and the students have to understand that OLFs is not only meant for teaching but sharing and learning. Ranking the participation in OLFs may be applied to encourage students’ enthusiasm. So, it is important for the teacher and the lecturer to know which strategy to persuade their students to join in online forum discussions through careful planning.
Reaction
The response of the OLFs is varied among students, but the majority of them agreed with the system. The journal of “Language Learning and Language Acquisition in Online Forums” brings an issue where the platforms like online forum discussion for sharing knowledge in a meaningful way among teachers and learners could be attained. Thus, an online forum can be utilized to the utmost by the students as the anxiety for language problems would be minimized. The students can recheck all the errors before posting it on the forum in which the forum serves as a practice zone for students in language proficiency. So, if the students are more active in the forum, the higher they would tend to study and obtain new knowledge.
3L: The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies- Vol 17(2): 91- 100
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