MSC TESOL DESERTATION PROPOSAL

TITLE: Sociological and Economic Impacts’ of Education on UK Students

TOPIC: Adult English Studies Language (ESL) Student Perceptions on Computer Assisted
Language Learning 
 Introduction

Over recent years, technology has tend to become an inseparable part of the lives of
individuals. Out of numerous of benefits of technology one of the most significant benefit is that it
underlies an extensive variety of forms communication among individuals universally in a way
that makes it become a global village. It also enables users to feel the need to improve
communications. In addition to this, several pupils have been involved in commencing a new
connection and building communication with individuals from various cultural backgrounds.
Moreover, these individuals also make use of communication technology in order to follow up their
academic goals. Out of all those goals, learning of a language has always been the prime concern
among the individuals who look forward to academically pursue this aim. . There are a number of
various kinds of technologies that can lead to language learning, however, computer-assisted learning
(CALL) is the most important. Although, the opportunity to integrate technology into the structure of
second language learning has raised the growth of debate amongst educators. The notion that
infusion of technology into the structure of second language learning can potentially substitute
language instructors within the classroom is a frightening and intriguing idea for some of the
educators. However, the debate over this can promote both positive and negative aspects of call
assisted learning (CALL). This study is going to observe and provide an in-depth analysis
concerning Adult English Studies Language (ESL) students’ perceptions regarding language
learning while making use of technologies based on computer and Internet. These insights will help
reveal aspects of the impact that technology has on the second language learner.

Technology has become an

inseparable part of people‟s lives
over recent decades. It also
Type of dissertation
The type of dissertation is investigative in nature. The data will be collected from primary
sources through interviews after which an examination will be carried out keeping the research
questions in mind.

Literature Review

There are extensive repercussions for English language programs as there is an excessive increase in
use of both computers and the Internet in adult English language classrooms (Coryell, J. & Chlup, D., 2007).
Several adult education programs tend to integrate computers in their curriculum as it is a facility to offer
students the choice of self-directed learning and to link learning with treasured work skills (Dillon-Marable,
E., & Valentine, T., 2006). In the opinion of () it has been stated that none of the curriculums can be entitled
to be strictly learner-centred unless the subjective needs and perceptions of the learner are linked to the
procedure of learning and are taken into account. At present, the use of technology among computers allows
individuals to capture, analyse, and present data regarding the performances of the students during the
process of learning. This enables learners to obtain instant feedback on their progress of learning. A study
conducted by () highlights that students who were enrolled in in a web-based language learning course
stated that getting an instant feedback on exercise errors was one of the positive factors about the course. In
addition to this, feedback is not a significant factor for the students only but it is extremely essential for the
tutor as well. Moreover, with the help of provided information, instructors are able to assist how to best suit
the students’ language needs (Lai, C. & Kritsonis, W. A., 2006). In contrast to this, it has been observed that
no matter how effective incorporation of technology in language learning might be, but a study by () shows
that most students do not frequently use the computer software properly. In some cases, the students do not
utilise the software components at all. Furthermore, a research study by (Fischer (1997) explored that in
order to progress more quickly through the lesson, some students skipped whole sections in computer
language programs. It can be observed through this evidence that, the attained feedback can be incorrect as
many students select to make only marginal use of various software components. It cannot be successfully
argued through the findings of the research that CALL is unless this limitation is taken into consideration
(Fischer, R., 2007). Moreover, tutor and tool are two various categories through which the use of computers
in language learning can be distinguished. This division is based upon the specific functioning role of the
computer. Using computers as a tutor allows the students to complete language learning exercises (Hubbard,
2005). In a recent study by () it has been observed that utilisation of computers as a tutor enables the
students to complete language learning exercises in an efficient manner. To conclude the above literature
review, it can observed from the findings of other authors that integration of CALL or any other form of
technology among the Adult English Studies Language (ESL) can possess great benefits for the learners

Context
The analytical context of this study will target students mainly from higher education background in
the UK as well as students from different backgrounds over all. Moreover, this study will analyse the
outcomes of adult English as a second language (ESL) from student’s experiences with infusion of
technology as a mode of improving English acquisition. The domain of computer assisted language learning
(CALL) is progressively becoming significant within the second language learning arena.
As the expansion of available technology continues to increase, insight into opinions about the effectiveness
of CALL and specifically those opinions of the actual users will be needed. As an instructor of adult ESL
students, my study focused on providing information about student’s use of technology for future personal
classroom practice

Research Question

There are three major research questions that this study aimed to address. All three questions concentrated
on attaining evidence regarding participant’s personal thoughts and actual real-life utilisation of CALL.
RQ1 Do adult participants learning in a second language context enjoy using computer and Internet
technologies as a method of English language acquisition?
RQ1. Are computers and other online technological resources related to CALL, useful and/or constraining to
the participants? What makes these resources useful and/or constraining?
RQ3. What are the computer and Internet technologies adult students are choosing to use for English
language learning and their reasons for this selection?

Research Methods
The research approach and method that will be used for this study would be qualitative
 method based on interpretive approach. Qualitative and interpretive approach helps to explore
and analyse the aim of study in-depth through various means. However, this study will focus on
secondary data, primarily analyzing the literature sources available with the area of study
concerned.

Data Analysis
The data has been collection from primary sources through interview sessions. Thus, the author of
the research study selected thematic analysis for analysing the gathered data. According to Braun and Clarke
(2012), thematic analysis provides flexibility to the researcher of the research study. Thematic analysis
enabled the author to collect detailed and valid data. Additionally, the author developed various themes from
the interview sessions by using thematic analysis and the author supported the data by interpreting the
themes in it. According to Hewson and Stewart (2014), thematic analysis is an analysis technique which is
considered as an unsupervised technique in which the author do not have to set and maintain the groups in
advance. Furthermore, thematic analysis has produced trustworthy, appropriate and insightful findings. One
of the major reason for using this analysis technique is that it works effectively in identifying the
perspectives of different participants of the research study.
 Research Proposal 5

Data Analysis

Literature List
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2012). Thematic analysis.

Hewson, C., & Stewart, D. W. (2014). Internet research methods. Wiley StatsRef: Statistics
reference online, 1-6.