BARRY KAVANAGH

About

No profile

Sessions

Presentation Optimizing Collocation Acquisition: The Impact of CALL Tools and Digital Flashcards more

Awareness of collocations is essential for vocabulary learning, as they form a fundamental part of natural spoken and written English. This study examined the impact of original CALL tools on collocation acquisition. Over seven weeks, 136 Japanese EFL university students used an online tool to read short passages, each containing 10 collocations, while their reading speed was tracked. The tool evaluated collocation knowledge through multiple-choice quizzes (recognition) and blank-fill exercises (production) based on the passages. To reinforce learning, students practiced these collocations using online flashcards for homework and were tested on them the following week. Pre- and post-tests evaluated overall collocation knowledge and learning gains. Results showed that students’ reading speed increased over the seven weeks and their collocation quiz scores improved, culminating in significantly higher post-test scores. More frequent flashcard use was also positively correlated with better weekly test performance. The findings indicate that digital tools and flashcards can effectively enhance collocation learning, improving both recognition and production skills. This study highlights the potential of CALL-based interventions to optimize vocabulary acquisition and offers some insights for designing more effective digital learning strategies.

BARRY KAVANAGH

Poster Session Connecting students through a Tohoku-Taipei COIL exchange more

Collaborative online international learning (COIL) exchanges have become increasingly prevalent in tertiary educational settings. These exchanges aim to promote intercultural understanding and awareness through offering opportunities for students from different countries to engage in authentic collaborative interactions while also practicing communicative language skills. Our poster focuses on the second year of an annual short-term synchronous COIL exchange between university students in Japan and Taiwan. We describe the process of implementing this exchange at our universities, including the student demographics, the activities they engaged in, and the technologies used to facilitate the collaboration. The poster also explores the outcomes of the exchange, examining how students from different cultural and language backgrounds interacted, challenges faced, and benefits gained. Additionally, we discuss the logistical aspects encountered as exchange organizers and provide suggestions for refining and sustaining future exchanges. Finally, we offer a general outline for university educators interested in creating short-term synchronous COIL exchanges incorporating meaningful international and intercultural learning experiences for their students.

Brian J Birdsell Brent Kelsen BARRY KAVANAGH