BBC Learning English (apps)
The BBC Learning English apps might have adapted the 'Meaningful Learning' theory. Meaningful Learning means that learned information is completely understood and can now be used to make connections with other previously known knowledge, aiding in further understanding. As this apps were made for intermediate learners and above, learners were expected to have a basic or sufficient background knowledge and what this apps have provided are materials to further enhance and fortify the knowledge so that learners can retain and polish their knowledge. Additionally, the materials provided were based on daily events and situations which will make it easier for learners to use what they have learned from the apps and apply it in the real world. This apps might have also combined methods such as Direct Method where the objectives were speaking and listening and the Audiolingual Method (ALM) which aims to form good language habits, and make use of extensive conversation practice in the target language. As a result, learners will be able to independently develop learning skills and strategies that will help them in the long run and this apps will be able to assist them along the process.
1. What does the website or MOOC or app or tool attempt to “teach”? Are
exercises or activities included in the website? What are the types of exercise
or activities included? Are there immediate feedbacks? Are there different
levels of difficulty for different proficiency levels? (You can add any other
comments you think is important to point out).
BBC Learning English is an application developed by the BBC as an alternative platform for users to learn the English language. It is available on both playstore and the apple store and you can download it for free. This apps pretty much covers all of the 4 skills in English which are: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. There are various audios, videos, transcript, vocabulary list, and grammar lessons available here and you can download it and listen to it when you're offline. Users can follow/enroll in any program available in the apps and you'll be notified when there's any update on the programmes that you're following. Each lesson is bite-sized from around 2 to 6 minutes, and each of them were labelled for different proficiency levels (intermediate, advanced, etc.) But take note that there's no programme for beginner level.
For listening, there are various conversational audios available for every level of learners and intermediate learners who had difficulties in understanding the conversation can always refer to the transcription that they have provided alongside the audio. You can choose whether you want to learn by listening to Everyday English, Business English, or even the news! Users can also learn and revise their speaking skills through the pronunciation programme. BBC's is using the standard British English, so it is good for learners who are trying to improve their pronunciation. Meanwhile, for reading and writing, there are a number of articles available where you can read and try to answer the quizzes based on it. And lastly, for writing, there are vocabulary programme and grammar lessons made available for you to learn :) There are no immediate feedbacks available. But, for each of the quizzes that you answered, the app will remember your scores. So, you can keep trying until you get the results that you want.
2. What are the learners/visitors required to do with regards to learning the
content of the website or MOOC or apps?
Learners just have to download the apps on their phone and they can straight away explore and use it as there's no sign up or log in required. There are three main options on the interface, which are 'Home', 'Programmes', and 'My Learning'. You can go to 'Home' to see the latest material that have been uploaded, 'Programmes' to choose on the options that you wanted. The options available here are divided by categories :
and lastly, you can click on 'My Learning' to check if there's any update on the programmes that you've followed and keep yourself up-to-date with your favourite programme.
- Business English
- Everyday English
- Grammar
- Learn With The News
- Pronunciation
- Vocabulary
and lastly, you can click on 'My Learning' to check if there's any update on the programmes that you've followed and keep yourself up-to-date with your favourite programme.
3. Does the website or MOOC or app or tools present learners with something
that cannot be done in a face-to-face classroom? If yes, how so?
This app presented learners with the opportunity to practice within their own comfort unlike in classroom. Some students might feel uncomfortable or anxious to practice the language. Furthermore, the conversation contains audio, so learners can practice their listening and speaking skills through listening to the audio repeatedly. If they have difficulties in understanding the audio, they can always refer to the transcript provided. Usually in classroom, there will be limited opportunity for teachers to introduce their students to more vocabulary or for the students to find meaning to new words that they have discovered as there is limited time for the subject. With the use of this app, it gives learners the room to discover and explore new words by listening to the conversation and as each conversation has a vocabulary list, which makes it easier for learners to remember new words. Another thing is, grammar can be quite a tough field to understand, through the grammar lesson provided in this app, learners can actually use the notes while doing revision and learners can also use it as a reference. All in all, this app allows students to learn independently and practice the language at their own comfortable pace.
4. Can you pinpoint some theories of language learning and/or teaching
underlying the application?
The BBC Learning English apps might have adapted the 'Meaningful Learning' theory. Meaningful Learning means that learned information is completely understood and can now be used to make connections with other previously known knowledge, aiding in further understanding. As this apps were made for intermediate learners and above, learners were expected to have a basic or sufficient background knowledge and what this apps have provided are materials to further enhance and fortify the knowledge so that learners can retain and polish their knowledge. Additionally, the materials provided were based on daily events and situations which will make it easier for learners to use what they have learned from the apps and apply it in the real world. This apps might have also combined methods such as Direct Method where the objectives were speaking and listening and the Audiolingual Method (ALM) which aims to form good language habits, and make use of extensive conversation practice in the target language. As a result, learners will be able to independently develop learning skills and strategies that will help them in the long run and this apps will be able to assist them along the process.
5.An important criterion for evaluating a CALL program, task or activity is the
potential for language learning (i.e. will student learn something?) Does the
website or MOOC or app fulfill this criterion? If yes, how so? If no, why?
This apps has the potential for language learning. Student will definitely be able to gain something or enhance their language skills from the materials provided in this apps. Learners can learn useful new phrase and catch up with interesting news from all over the world all while going through this one apps. The materials provided were also based on real-life activities and daily events, which will make it easier for learners to recall and apply what they have learned in their daily life. The only problem is that this apps might be too focused on listening which might bore other type of learners, so
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
6. Would you like to use the application yourself in your future work?
Yes? Provide reason(s), No? Provide (reason)
Yes because as for me, I couldn't practice the language extensively in the real world; mainly because of my nature, and the surrounding. So, when I got to spend time for myself, I like to reinforce and practice the language to make sure that I can strengthen my language skills. I can take my time to listen and read the articles available in the apps and it is more or less, something that I can do to fill in my free time. Moreover, this apps also offers grammar lesson and notes, so, I'd say that it is very suitable for university students (like me) and another plus point is that it is free.
Ok 15/20
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