Методика преподавания языка | Филологический аспект: Методика преподавания языка и литературы Методика преподавания языка и литературы Ноябрь-Декабрь 2021, №8 (11)

Способы изучения английского с помощью веб-серверов (онлайн-приложения)

Нургалиева Ардак Жаксылыковна
ассистент профессора, МОК (КазГАСА), Алматы, Казахстан
Оспанова Даяна Байтлеуовна
студентка факультета архитектуры, МОК (КазГАСА), Алматы, Казахстан

Аннотация: В данной статье рассмотрен метод изучения английского языка через веб-сервисы, позволяющие работать над всеми навыками английского языка: чтением, аудированием, письмом и говорением. Они могут использоваться как дополнительное пособие с упражнениями для людей, изучающих английский язык любого уровня. Разработанная система определяет слабые и сильные стороны ученика при обучении и разрабатывает индивидуальную программу. Автором проанализированы основные принципы, преимущества и недостатки онлайн приложений, направленных на изучение английского языка.
Ключевые слова: методы обучения, веб-сервис, образование, применение нового языка, онлайн-метод, языковой курс, уровень языкового сегмента, программный модуль

Nurgaliyeva Ardak Zhaksylykovna
Assistant Professor, IEC (KazGASA), Almaty, Kazakhstan
Ospanova Dayana Baitleuovna
Student of Department of Architecture, IEC (KazGASA), Almaty, Kazakhstan

Abstract: This article explores a method for learning English through web-based services that allow you to work on all English language skills: reading, listening, writing and speaking. They can be used as a supplementary guide with exercises for people learning English at any level. The developed system identifies the student's weak and strong points in learning and develops an individual program. The author analyses the main principles, advantages and disadvantages of online applications aimed at learning English.
Keywords: learning methods, web service, education, new language, application, online method, language course, language segment level, program module

Introduction

Learning a new language is an enriching process that requires an effective method of education. Knowing several languages is an advantage when it comes time to travel and makes it easier to communicate with acquaintances, from a professional point of view it opens up new opportunities for cooperation abroad and makes the candidate more qualified for a job. Language learning also has a less visible but no less significant effect: it trains our brain and keeps it young. If we ignore technological developments, the teachers will never be able to catch up with the new trend, irrespective of our discipline or branch. Here, Rana says, "Teachers need to stop following the same old ways of teaching and experiment and acknowledge that the world is changing and we need education that augments that change". [5] For this reason, it is important for language teachers to be aware of the latest and best equipment and to have all information of what is available in any given situations.

Nowadays, learning a new language has become necessary not only from an academic point of view but also from a professional and social one. For example, learning English only benefits the education of a modern person. However, people are often constrained by limited time and money. This is why apps have been developed over the years to make learning English much more versatile. In the age of the latest technology in smartphones and tablets, there are completely free apps that work on Android and iOS devices. Mobile learning is also defined as any service or facility that supplies learner with general electronic information and educational content that aids in acquisition of knowledge regardless of location and time. [2] This article looks at the method of learning English through web-based online services.

Learning English requires mental effort and time. The brain must create new cognitive structures that require constant and continuous practice. After all, learning a language consists of many elements, such as memorizing words, learning the sound structure of the language, the writing system, grammar and ways of expressing thought. Accordingly, the combination of technology into language education has become a daily event, and the educational multimedia courseware is produced largely as reference subjects to promote English language teaching and learning. [6] Moreover, the use of Internet resources in language learning is seen as a serious methodology.  Modern technology makes it possible to combine all language skills in the applications discussed below:

Duolingo is one of the most versatile applications for learning English. This web service demonstrates the ability to improve vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and comprehension. Well-structured, the learning process develops gradually as the learner receives tasks. Through many daily activities that last from a few minutes to 15-20 minutes.

Each language course in Duolingo consists of modules grouped together to build skills. The app determines the order in which a person learns the different modules. New modules become active only after the previous one is completed. At the same time, Duolingo allows you to "test" individual modules and groups of modules (skills). By taking the tests, a person can demonstrate that he or she understands the material learned and move on to later skills.

New vocabulary is often taught with pictures and grammatical structures are explained in small comic strips, which is an advantage when learning a language. It has been proposed that the Visual word form area develops with reading acquisition as a result of the “recycling” of visual cortex, resulting in neurons dedicated to orthographic processing. [1] This supports the theory of Glezer that the role of the Visual word form area in reading is that of an orthographic lexicon in which during word learning, neurons come to be selective for the “objects” of reading, that is, whole words, enabling the rapid recognition of familiar words. These findings have interesting implications for reading remediation in individuals with phonologic processing impairments because they suggest the possibility that these individuals might benefit from visual word learning strategies to circumvent the phonologic difficulties and directly train holistic visual word representations in the Visual word form area. [3]

The app is completely free and also has a backup tool which facilitates learning on different devices. In fact, a person can start an exercise on a tablet and finish it on a smartphone, regardless of the operating system. This resource is designed for the whole family and includes games, podcasts, videos and quizzes so you can learn English for free at home or anywhere else.

Picture 1. The structure of Duolingo apps

Another of the language learning apps is Memrise, an interactive and versatile app that encourages a person to learn English in a creative and non-traditional way. The learner can also choose from many different modules, and Memrise is unique in that each lesson has been written and developed by other users. This not only allows one to check how much the language segment has improved, but also to retrace the steps of many students who have studied the relevant lessons and words. A number of classes are offered and everyone chooses a topic of interest to dedicate them to learning the language anywhere, even where there is no reception. Incorporating videos of native speakers, Memrise gives users an idea of what English sounds like in real-life situations. It also uses proven mnemonic techniques to consolidate lessons in the brain more quickly, as well as an algorithm that adapts to the pace and style of your learning. It also keeps a record of the words you learn. The app will also help you identify common language features in English to help you improve your skills.

Picture 2. The structure of Memrise apps

Founded in 2007, Babbel is one of the most popular apps for learning English and about 15 other languages on the Internet. The web service offers two learning modules: "Vocabulary" and "Tools". Suitable for any level, from beginner to advanced, Babbel offers the opportunity to become fluent in a language. The app uses interactive activities with oral and written exercises as well as a simple method reminiscent of an interpreter. Babbel helps you improve your English learning experience with a helpful review function built into the app to show exactly which concepts are causing you the most difficulty, using a cascading repetition system. Every progress is saved in the cloud and synchronized across all devices, leaving the freedom to choose whether to continue on a computer, tablet or smartphone. To save costs, almost all other apps use computer-generated audio. Babbel uses only recordings by native speakers with excellent pronunciation. A person can learn English by mimicking what they hear without worrying that it will sound robotic and unnatural.

Picture 3. The structure of Babbel apps

After testing these web-services, I identified a number of drawbacks. For example, the lack of real grammar lessons will make it much more difficult for students to construct meaningful sentences on their own. A student can try to construct something using familiar words and sentences that he or she has practiced before. But if a person does not understand grammar, it is likely that his or her speech will be grammatically incorrect. This will make it difficult and sometimes impossible for people to understand. When sentences have no context and no real meaning, the student will have to work harder to come up with something useful in everyday communication. This is because he will spend time remembering random phrases instead of useful common expressions and phrases.

In translation exercises (most exercises on Duolingo) the software is programmed to accept only one correct answer. This is problematic because in most languages there are many ways to express the same idea. Learners who enter the correct answer but do not recognize it may think they have made a mistake.

The sound of words and phrases in Duolingo is generated by the computer. Babbel, on the other hand, only uses recordings of native speakers in its lessons.

This table shows a number of indicators for these applications, according to defined criteria:

What makes these applications really versatile is that they are structured like a game. Each module is designed with a series of quizzes and a final test at the end. Passing the final test will take the student up a notch and push them towards new goals and results. These applications are also ideal for those who are looking for a quick application to practice their language skills.

Conclusion

The main purpose of using online applications in language teaching is to promote students’ motivation and learning interest in the English language. In the non-native English speaking context, this can be a practical way to get them involved in the language learning. While using applications in teaching if students are not too dependent on their mother tongue, they should be motivated to communicate with each other in English. The process of English learning should be more student-centered and less time-consuming. The language teachers should maintain the students' communicative competence through web servers. [4]

Developed by experts in the field of language teaching, the apps guide the learner through the learning process in an advanced, interactive and user-friendly way. The courses consist of short lessons of about 15 minutes so that everyone can optimize their free time and use every spare minute to progress in their studies. The lessons are divided into themes and are based on specific issues that are real in everyday lives, such as requesting information when travelling, booking a table in a restaurant or a hotel room.

This method of learning English is based on regular repetition and memorization of new words and sentence constructions. Rapid learning of new words is crucial for language acquisition, and frequent exposure to spoken words is a key factor for the development of vocabulary. More frequently occurring (and thus more familiar) words can, in turn, be expected to have stronger memory representations than less frequent words.

The advantage of this method of learning English is that one makes an individual learning plan. For perfect organization, reminders can be set directly in the app. Language learning will soon become a pleasant habit, thanks in part to the fun features that help the learner stay focused, such as listening to native speakers and voice recognition for pronouncing words and phrases in perfect English style. Some methods of learning English focus too much on one aspect of language learning and ignore others. For example, they contain too much grammar and a lack of vocabulary. The online applications balance all the skills that make a student competent in English: listening, vocabulary, speaking and grammar. The lessons also focus on everyday situations, so a person will be able to use what he or she has learned immediately [4].

For these reasons, the method of learning English through online applications is one of the most effective ways to learn a new language correctly and quickly, for very little money. However, considering the above mentioned disadvantages, it is necessary to combine and combine these applications for a better assimilation of new material and skill.

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3. Laurie S. Glezer, Judy Kim, Josh Rule, Xiong Jiang and Maximilian Riesenhuber. Adding Words to the Brain's Visual Dictionary: Novel Word Learning Selectively Sharpens // Orthographic Representations in the VWFA. – 2015.
4. Pun M. The Use of Multimedia Technology in English Language Teaching: A Global Perspective // Crossing the Border: International Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. –2014. – №1. – pp. 29–38.
5. Rana Prajesh. Education and the Use of Technology // Republican The Week. – 2013.
6. Yunus M.M., Hashim H., Embi M. A., Lubis M. A. The Utilization of ICT in the Teaching and Learning of English: “Tell Me More” // Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. – 2010. – №9. – pp. 685–691.