Web-based activities : enhancing English language skills

Abstract EN

This study examined the effect of Web-based project learning on enhancing English language and translation senior students' cultural awareness and writing competence.

For this purpose, one class was selected at random and assigned to an experimental group.

It encompassed 25 students who formed small-groups, two to five students each.

These participants were involved in several online activities which made the final outputs of students' Webpage projects.

To examine the effectiveness of the Web-based projects on enhancing cultural awareness and writing competence, two instruments were developed by the investigator; a) pre- and post-writing tests, and b) pre- and- post cultural awareness tests.

Quantitative analyses of students' performance on the pre-and-post tests revealed significant gains on both cultural awareness and writing competence.

Besides, qualitative data supported the significant impact of Web-based projects on students' cultural awareness and writing competence.

Among other factors, these gains were attributed to the rich online environment, easy access to authentic material, and contact with authentic native speakers through email exchanges.

Relevant implications and recommendations were offered.