The impact of language play-oriented tasks with planned focus on form on Iranian EFL learners' accuracy in controlled writings
Year: 2015
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Language play and its effects on second language learning have been addressed by many scholars in recent years with instances of language play being identified both inside and outside the classroom.However, only a few have integrated language play with classroom tasks, and they just sufficed to the qualitative analyses of the learners' interactions.The present study investigated the possible effect of language play-oriented tasks with planned focus on form on Iranian EFL learners' accuracy in controlled writings.Employing a pretest-posttest design, the participants of the study were introduced to a series of meaningful tasks focusing on particular linguistic features.The tasks were accompanied by language play types such as semantic play, creation of imaginary scenarios, oral narrative play, syntactic play, pragmatic play, linguistic play and verbal dueling during a 12-week adult English class in a private language school.Field notes were taken as well as occasional audiorecordings of the instances of tasks and episodes manifesting the given treatment.The findings demonstrated the supremacy of playful tasks over non-playful language learning activities with the items in playful tasks being recalled better.The present study calls for integration of playful language tasks along with planned focus on form in EFL classes and provides EFL teachers with a good set of such tasks to create an enjoying and relaxing atmosphere in their classes.
Source: DergiPark (Istanbul University)
Authors: Javad Gholami, Mitra Gholizadeh
Institution: Urmia University
Language: English
Subfield: Language and Linguistics
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1564299702