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The Impact of Online Lower-Level Courses on World Language Learners’ Self-Perceptions, Mindset and Willingness to Communicate

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Technology and the Psychology of Second Language Learners and Users

Part of the book series: New Language Learning and Teaching Environments ((NLLTE))

Abstract

The increase in online course offerings in various educational settings provides many advantages, providing more flexible and convenient access to information and communication. Since sociocultural theory posits that each social experience, including those online, is constructed by its participants, it is important to consider the psychological and social impact of such courses, particularly on lower-level world language learners. This study, using an anonymous survey, explored how students described their online class experiences, as well as the pros and cons of online learning. It also considered the influences of online lower-level world language classes on their growth mindset as language learners and their overall willingness to communicate (WTC). Results suggest that any online interaction must be productive and user-friendly, with a definitive teacher and peer presence to be considered successful.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA

    Rebecca L. Chism

  2. University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA

    Carine Graff

Authors
  1. Rebecca L. Chism
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  2. Carine Graff
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rebecca L. Chism .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Gunma Prefectural Women’s University, Tamamura-machi, Gunma, Japan

    Mark R. Freiermuth

  2. Department of English, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

    Nourollah Zarrinabadi

Appendix

Appendix

Please answer all of the questions to the best of your ability.

  1. 1.

    What is your gender?

    • Male

    • Female

    • Other

  2. 2.

    Ethnicity

    • Caucasian, non-Hispanic

    • Hispanic

    • African-American

    • Asian-Pacific

    • Other

    • Prefer not to say

  3. 3.

    Age

    • Between 18 and 23

    • Between 24 and 30

    • Over 30

  4. 4.

    Through which institution are you taking your current language course?

  5. 5.

    What year are you in college? Give details if ‘Other.’

    • Freshman

    • Sophomore

    • Junior

    • Senior

    • Graduate student

    • Other

    • Prefer not to say

  6. 6.

    Which language course are you currently taking? Give details if ‘Other.’

    • Spanish

    • French

    • German

    • Russian

    • Japanese

    • Chinese

    • Other

  7. 7.

    Which level of the language are you currently taking?

  8. 8.

    Have you studied a foreign language previously?

    • Yes

    • No

    • If yes, in what format? Check all that apply

    • Traditional face-to-face class

    • Hybrid of face-to-face and online

    • Online only

  9. 9.

    Where did you study a foreign language previously? Give details if ‘Other.’

    • In elementary school or prior

    • Elementary/middle school

    • High school

    • Another university

    • Other

    • Not applicable

  10. 10.

    Are you a native or heritage speaker of another language other than English?

    • Yes

    • No

    • If yes, check all that apply. Give details if ‘Other.’

    • Spanish

    • French

    • Other

  11. 11.

    Have you traveled to or spent significant time in a foreign country? If yes, where?

    • Yes

    • No

  12. 12.

    Why did you choose to take your current language course at your current institution? Check all that apply. Give details if ‘Other.’

    • Prior experience

    • Meeting a requirement

    • Career/job opportunities

    • Self-interest

    • Other

  13. 13.

    Briefly describe your experience with your foreign language course at your institution. What do you enjoy? Not enjoy? Struggle with? Find easy?

  14. 14.

    On average, how much time do you devote to your current language course each week compared to other classes?

    • Much less time

    • Less time

    • About the same amount of time

    • More time

    • Much more time

  15. 15.

    Do you have any other responsibilities that affect how much time you are able to devote to your current language course?

    • Yes

    • No

    • If yes, check all that apply. Give details if ‘Other.’

    • Family responsibilities

    • Medical condition

    • Heavy course load

    • Outside activities

    • Other

    • Prefer not to say

    • Not applicable

  16. 16.

    Do you plan to continue studying the foreign language you are currently studying after completing this language course?

    • Yes

    • No

    • Maybe

  17. 17.

    If yes, or maybe, which format would you prefer? Check all that apply.

    • Traditional face-to-face

    • Hybrid of face-to-face and online

    • Online only

  18. 18.

    Have you taken other classes at your current institution besides foreign language that were 100% online?

    • Yes

    • No

  19. 19.

    On average, do you like classes that are 100% online?

    • Strongly dislike

    • Dislike

    • Neither like nor dislike

    • Like

    • Strongly like

  20. 20.

    Would you take another 100% online class again?

    • Yes

    • No

    • Maybe

    • Prefer not to say

  21. 21.

    Briefly describe your overall experience with online classes at your current institution. What do you like? Dislike? Struggle with?

  22. 22.

    Rank in order from 1 to 7 your preferred learning style:

    • Verbal linguistic

    • Mathematical/logical

    • Physical/kinesthetic

    • Musical/rhythmic

    • Visual/spatial

    • Interpersonal/group

    • Intrapersonal/alone

  23. 23.

    Of the following two, which do you prefer?

    • Interpersonal (working with others)

    • Intrapersonal (working alone)

    • I don’t know

  24. 24.

    On average, how much do you agree with the statement: foreign languages are easy for me.

    • Strongly disagree

    • Disagree

    • Neither agree nor disagree

    • Agree

    • Strongly agree

  25. 25.

    Check the statement that most describes you

    • Under the right circumstances, I can improve my foreign language skills

    • No matter what, I just can’t seem to improve my foreign language skills

    • Somewhere between the two

    • Neither of the two

  26. 26.

    On average, how much do you agree with the statement: I am willing to communicate in the foreign language I am learning.

    • Strongly disagree

    • Disagree

    • Neither agree nor disagree

    • Agree

    • Strongly agree

  27. 27.

    On average, how much do you agree with the statement: I am more willing to communicate in the foreign language I am learning if it occurs online.

    • Strongly disagree

    • Disagree

    • Neither agree nor disagree

    • Agree

    • Strongly agree

  28. 28.

    Do you interact with your instructor only (nobody else) in your current online class?

    • Yes

    • No

  29. 29.

    If yes, in what format do you and your instructor interact?

    • Chat (written messages)

    • Audio call

    • Video chat

    • Via textbook site

    • Via learning platform (e.g., Blackboard Learn)

    • Skype

    • Other

  30. 30.

    Do you interact with your classmates only (not with the instructor) in your current online class?

    • Yes

    • No

  31. 31.

    If yes, in what format do you and your classmates interact?

    • Chat (written messages)

    • Audio call

    • Video chat

    • Via textbook site

    • Via learning platform (e.g., Blackboard Learn)

    • Skype

    • Other

  32. 32.

    Do you interact with your instructor and classmates (both) in your current online class?

    • Yes

    • No

  33. 33.

    In what format do you, your classmates and your instructor interact in your current online class?

    • Chat (written messages)

    • Audio call

    • Video chat

    • Via textbook site

    • Via learning platform (e.g., Blackboard Learn)

    • Skype

    • Other

  34. 34.

    Would you like more opportunities to interact with your classmates online?

    • Yes

    • No

  35. 35.

    If yes, what are your preferred ways to interact? Check all that apply. Give details if ‘Other.’

    • Chat (written messages)

    • Audio call

    • Video chat

    • Via textbook site

    • Via learning platform (e.g., Blackboard Learn)

    • Skype

    • Other

  36. 36.

    Do you think the opportunity to interact with your classmates online would increase/increases your willingness to communicate in the foreign language?

    • Yes

    • No

    • Maybe

    • I don’t know

  37. 37.

    Do you think the opportunity to interact with your classmates online would improve/improves your foreign language?

    • Yes

    • No

    • Maybe

    • I don’t know

  38. 38.

    What are the best aspects of taking a foreign language 100% online?

  1. 39.

    What are the worst aspects of taking a foreign language 100% online?

  1. 40.

    What would you like to see in an online foreign language course?

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Chism, R.L., Graff, C. (2020). The Impact of Online Lower-Level Courses on World Language Learners’ Self-Perceptions, Mindset and Willingness to Communicate. In: Freiermuth, M.R., Zarrinabadi, N. (eds) Technology and the Psychology of Second Language Learners and Users. New Language Learning and Teaching Environments. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34212-8_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34212-8_21

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-34211-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-34212-8

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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