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The Impact E-learning Platform Has on EFL Learners in Teaching English Speaking

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Introduction There has been an increasing interest in the relationship between high technology and language learning. With advancements in technology and the innovation, teaching with computer or other technological materials becomes an emerging trend. Moreover, it provides teachers great methods to help students to enhance the ability on English learning. While all seem agree that students have to go to school and take the classes face to face; however, this kind of rules may not be established in some ways on account of the high technology. Some students can just sit in front of their computers and have the classes whenever they want. There are more and more people start to learn how to learn languages assisted by the high technology. Some scholars have already done these kinds of researches. For instance, Inmaculada Gomez, Mercedes Rico and Emilio Hernández believe that it is really beneficial to students learn English for specific purposes through the e-learning platform. The purpose of this study reported here was to explore the improvements of speaking skills in English through the e-learning platform. We use e-learning platform as a tool to test whether the students make progress in their English speaking ability or not. To address the issues already outlined and to begin to fill the gaps in the previous research, the present study was designed to address to the following researches: (1) Does the amount of fillers used by EFL learners decline between pretest and post-test after applying e-learning platform on teaching English speaking? (2) What are the benefits that the EFL learners can obtain when e-learning platform is applied in teaching on teaching English speaking? Definition of key terms E-learning E-learning is the delivery of a specific learning, training or education program by electronic ways. It involves the use of a computer or electronic device (e.g. Tablet PC, smart phone, etc.) in some way to provide training, educational or learning material. E-learning can involve a greater variety of equipment than online training or education, for as the name implies, "online" involves using the Internet or an Intranet. CD-ROM, DVD, and USB Flash Drive can be used to provide learning materials. E-learning platform E-learning platform, we look at an indispensable component of e-learning, namely e-learning platforms, that is, the software that provides the technical infrastructure on which e-learning activities can take place. Scaffolding Scaffolding is used to bridge the zone of proximal development (ZPD) by more knowledgeable others (MKO) to help the learners master a task that they are initially unable to grasp independently. Even though limitations to scaffolding exist, its features of intentionality, appropriateness, structure, collaboration, and internalization benefit students by providing individualized instruction and by engaging them to be active learners. Methods, points to consider, and examples of scaffolding application can also be drawn from this chapter. Hence, it provides the reader with a sense of both what scaffolding is and how to use it in instruction. Filler Word Filler word is defined as the word that ˜ï¬ll up gaps in utterances'. It is an apparently meaningless word, phrase, or sound that marks a pause or hesitation in speech, for instance, um, okay, right, you know, etc. Applied theory The theory of our research is based on mediation by Vygotsky. Mediation is under the branch of scaffolding and it is a theory about the learning experience and a form of intervention, in the form of auxiliary stimulus. By focusing on experience from the processes of thinking and learning metacognition, it aims to facilitate effective learning behavior. According to the theory, we can know that mediation is focusing on learner's attempt to do something and acquire experience. In light of the theory, we will assay the impact on e-learning platform for teaching speaking skills; therefore in our research, we design a teaching procedure with e-learning platform, which will be implemented step by step as referred in Appendix 1. Firstly, the teacher will provide listening materials as the tasks on e-learning platform each week. After that, the students will be asked to listen to an audio tape that's related to the assigned task as a sample response. Then the students are supposed to turn in their own one- minute recordings before next class meeting. Thus, with teacher's help, the students will practice their English speaking ability and gradually develop their own knowledge by actually record their oral competence. As the mediation theory, teacher should give students the method to help them safely take risks and reach higher than would be possible by their efforts alone. The most influential study Title of the study is LEARNING ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES THROUGH E-LEARNING PLATFORMS, by the author Inmaculada Gómez, Mercedes Rico, and Emilio Hernánd

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