The role of learner training in the effectiveness of call

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of learner training on students’ ability to benefit from CALL effectively. The study was conducted at Zonguldak Karaelmas University Foreign Languages Compulsory Preparatory School with 38 participants, who were intermediate level students, and four instructors, who were responsible for the experimental and the control groups. Strategy training activities were used as an instrument for learner training and the data were collected through Longman English Interactive Online, which is a web-based program. The experimental group was observed over a two-week period before strategy training. After a two-week strategy training period, they were observed for five weeks. The analysis of the performance of students in the pre- and the post-training period revealed that learner training did not make any significant difference on students’ attendance in the lab lessons. However, it appeared to have a positive influence on students’ engagement in the CALL materials, the number of lab activities, the number of quizzes completed, and achievement on review quizzes. Furthermore, strategy training appeared to have a positive effect on students’ motivation to attend the lab lessons and engage in the lab activities.