Corpus-based activities at lower levels of EFL proficiency : the effectiveness of using concordance lines on grammar learning

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of using corpus-based activities on lower level EFL students’ learning of English grammar. The purpose of the study was to determine whether lower level EFL learners would be able to use corpusbased activities effectively in order to learn five target grammar structures of English. This study also explored the attitudes of those students towards using corpus-based activities in English grammar learning. Six intact lower level EFL classes at Erciyes University School of Foreign Languages participated in the study. The quantitative data were collected through the administration of three tests and an attitude questionnaire. The qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews. The statistical analysis of the test results revealed that the students were able to use corpus-based activities effectively in the learning of the target grammar structures. Additionally, it was found that using corpus-based activities in the learning of the target grammar structures produced similar results when compared to using a course book. The analysis of the attitude questionnaire showed that the students held somewhat neutral attitudes towards using corpus-based activities in the learning of the five target grammar structures. However, the analysis of the student interviews revealed more positive attitudes towards using these sources in English grammar learning.