Developing and integrating constructive CALL courseware for EAP in Chinese universities: a report on a case study. Issue 9 (8th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Na; Chen, Juanwen; Zhang, Jingyuan
• Is Part Of: Computer assisted language learning. Volume 35:Issue 9(2022)
• Page Start: 2761
• Page End: 2789
• Publication Date: 2022-12-08
• Subjects: Case study -- Chinese universities -- constructive CALL courseware -- development and integration -- EAP blended learning contexts; Language and languages -- Computer-assisted instruction -- Periodicals; 418.00285
• DOI: 10.1080/09588221.2021.1895226
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-8221

Abstract

Abstract: This paper reports on the development of constructive EAP CALL courseware, and its integration into blended learning contexts, as a solution to the problems in EAP courses in Chinese universities. A case study of a defining skills package, developed for undergraduates at the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), is used to illustrate the design and integration of the courseware. Guided by constructivist learning theory, the design draws on a synthesis of language-centered, academic skills-centered, content-based and task-based approaches. The integration is evaluated through the quality of students' written work and evidence of their satisfaction with their defining skills improvement and the CALL courseware, based upon the data from a questionnaire survey. Web-based digital tools and multimodal media have been exploited to devise and produce CALL materials on defining skills. After three weeks of blended learning, students' learning outcomes and satisfaction with the courseware and its integration were significantly positive. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2021.1895226 .