What student-teachers say
Entisar Elsherif, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, & Fatma Dreid, University of Tripoli
[slideshare id=39714863&doc=facebookgamespresentation-140930125611-phpapp01]
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Abstract
Literature shows that games provide great opportunities for language learners to learn not only vocabulary but also to practice various skills. Games make language learning less boring and engaging. Given the fact that most of our students have Facebook accounts and play Facebook games, we decided to conduct a study that explores the effects of games on learning the English language.
This study was conducted in a public institution that prepared Libyan students to become English language teachers. Students were required to play Facebook games for two weeks and then present their experience through oral presentations and reflective journals. Our objective was not only to investigate whether Facebook games help language learners but also how our students, as future teachers, evaluate those games’ effectiveness in language learning.
A case study approach was chosen due to the nature of the research questions. Participants included Libyan student-teachers at a Faculty of Education. Data was collected through students’ presentations, students’ reflective journals, and interviews. Students were asked to report the type of difficulties they encountered while playing, the type of vocabulary they noticed, what they learned while they were playing, and whether the games they played were suitable to be used with English learners.
Data indicated that most of the student-teachers found playing Facebook games to be beneficial for language learners and were able to decide which game to choose. Data also revealed that games are the best source for learning vocabulary but they also might be used to develop learners’ reading and writing skills. However, a number of students thought that Facebook games were not a suitable type of games for learning and chose their own games.
Therefore, this digital poster presentation will show the results of a study that explored the use of Facebook games in language learning. The poster will briefly discuss the methodology and then will focus on the results of the study. This study might be of interest to English language teachers and adult language learners as well as Facebook game players.
Presenters
Mrs. Entisar Elsherif
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
e.elsherif66@yahoo.com
Fatma Dreid
University of Tripoli
fatmadreid@yahoo.com