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Boosting EFL Skills Through IDLE: A Guide for English Teachers
The article “Investigating the Association of Informal Digital Learning of English with EFL Learners’ intercultural competence and Willingness to Communicate: an SEM Study” by Afsheen Rezai explores the relationship between Informal Digital Learning of English (IDLE) and its impact on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners’ intercultural competence and willingness to communicate. The study, conducted with Iranian EFL learners, uses structural equation modeling to analyze data from various scales measuring IDLE, intercultural competence, and language communication willingness. The findings suggest a positive association between IDLE and both intercultural competence and willingness to communicate in English, highlighting the importance of IDLE in EFL learning contexts, particularly in regions where English is not widely used. This research fills a gap in the existing literature by providing insights into the role of IDLE in enhancing EFL learners’ intercultural awareness and communication skills.
English teachers should indeed encourage their students to engage in Informal Digital Learning of English (IDLE) to improve their English skills. As the study by Afsheen Rezai suggests, IDLE activities, such as watching YouTube videos or interacting on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, can significantly enhance learners’ enthusiasm for learning English, their intercultural competence, and their willingness to communicate in English. Since most learners today are active on social media and can easily access these resources, integrating IDLE into English learning is more feasible than ever.
Teachers can play a pivotal role in guiding students toward effective IDLE activities. They can recommend specific digital activities and platforms that align with the learning objectives. For instance, teachers can assign watching a YouTube video related to the lesson topic as homework, followed by writing a summary or reflection, or encourage students to participate in online discussion groups to share their opinions or questions. By doing so, teachers can create a blend of formal classroom learning and informal digital learning experiences, fostering a more positive and engaging learning environment for students.
bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com
Informal Digital Learning of English (IDLE), such as watching online videos, playing games, or chatting with English speakers beyond the classroom, has received increasing attention over recent years as a potential source of intercultural competence (IC) and second language willingness … Continue reading
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