Using online dictation exercises for improving comprehension of English reduced forms

Abstract

This study reports the results of a study in which English reduced forms (e.g., gonna, gotta) were taught to Japanese learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) using a dictation Web site. To date, research on reduced forms instruction via dictation has found positive results with paper-based exercises. The main goal of this study was to investigate whether similarly positive results could be obtained with online exercises. Three groups of students participated in the study, with one group using online exercises, one using paper-based exercises, and one serving as a control group with no instruction on reduced forms. The results showed that subjects in the online group demonstrated the greatest improvement in comprehension of the forms taught. Because of the difficulties inherent in comparing two or more instructional media, it cannot be concluded that online exercises are superior to paper-based. Nevertheless, the positive results obtained suggest that further research in this area is warranted.