Erwin Santana Ortega

Protocolo de
investigacin
Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara

Maestra en Enseanza del Ingls como lengua Extranjera

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Index

Introduction. 3
Justification. 3
Literature review. 4
Research methodology 4
Context description. 5
Data collection and analysis 7
Conclusion.. 7
Appendices.. 8
References... 9
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Introduction
Students of English as a second language often have troubles remembering new words
and the correct way to use the target language. Perhaps this is because their lack of clear
objectives which can help them to follow a path in learning English. If they dont understand the
importance of learning English as a second language and the achievements they are to complete
every certain period of time, it is likely that they get lost after some time. They need to focus their
learning and stay focus throughout the English course.

Now it is 2017 and education is becoming more technology-based in many countries. I am

enthusiastic about comparing two different groups of students and their use of English as a
second language. One group will be working with an English learning software for a semester-
long period and the other will be taught English with a qualified teacher using diverse teaching-
learning strategies. Both groups will keep record of what they are learning every week making
use of journals.

Justification

Mexico is claiming for better education according with OCDE (2015) newest results. It is
stated that nearly one half of the students in Mexico among the age of 15 are not capable of
achieving the minimum sufficient knowledge in lecture. This means that our students do not meet
the required competences in order to be living actively in a globalized society. If they have
problems using their mother language, it is presumed that the lack of understanding Spanish,
would make it harder for them to learn a second language.

Mexico needs better teachers for those students who are learning language. That is why Training
for teachers colleges are having a transformation in their curriculum. Before 2011 the bachelors
degree program in Education for elementary schools did not have any course involving English
Language. The latest curriculum has 5 courses to learn English as a second language, the students
are required to show proficiency in English as a second language and get a certification in level
B2 according to the Common European framework of reference for languages. In recent days
there is a proposal to modify this curriculum and hence the certification level to C1, which would
mean that students would need more than 5 semester-long courses to achieve that goal.
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Literature review

Hole in the wall

An investigation conducted by Dr. Mitra was called hole in the wall". It had shown that
groups of children can learn to use computers on their own. The experiment had been driven in
the rural part of India, where children of Grade 8 level, were administered the curricular
examination for 'Computer Science'.

The results show that children who had learned at minimally-invasive-education kiosks () were
able to complete this test without being taught the subject. They scored only marginally lower
than children who had been taught the Computers subject-matter in school throughout the school
year. It invites our minds to think that similar learning may well be observed in other subjects of
the school curriculum, perhaps learning English as a second language.
Moreover, another Dr. Mitras work describes an experiment in which groups of children are to
improve their English pronunciation using an English-language learning software, some English
films, and a speech-to-text software engine. All those three activities help students become better
at pronunciation and at developing new ways of using the target language. The second main part
of this research is that children can operate a computer and improve their pronunciation and
clarity of speech, on their own, with no intervention from teachers.

Learning strategies

Oxford (1990) defines learning strategies as "specific actions taken by the learner to make
learning easier, faster, more enjoyable, more self-directed, and more transferable to new
situations. I estimate that students working with computers will develop their own learning
strategies without being told to do so, in other words they will become more independent when
studying.

Learning effectiveness:

Research Methodology

Action research has been increasingly viewed as a means for teachers to regenerate their
practice through investigation of pedagogical interests, issues and concerns in their own
classrooms (Burns, 1999). According to the last idea proposed, I will make use of Action
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research in order to improve my teaching of English as a second language at the same time that I
implement investigation.

Richard & Lockhart (1995) summarize four main steps to take into account before, during and
after running an action research. They are mentioned in the next paragraphs.
Planning

The most important and useful product the researcher can construct here is a detailed plan
of the action you intend to take or the change you intend to make. To set up a timetable that
shows who is going to complete which task in what time. You also need to make plans for
observation or monitoring your changes. Prepare all instruments you will need to gather
information.

Action

Things usually never go as planned. This is why you should be aware of the changes and
write down why actions were done in a different way. It is easier for the researcher to obtain the
information he will later analyze if he has the proper instruments for gathering it.

Observation

The detailed observation, monitoring, and recording enables researchers to communicate

findings to others. Those involved in action research should also keep a detailed journal. In this
case both students and teacher will keep journals

Reflection

At the end of an action cycle you should reflect on what has happened. How deep and
useful were your changes? What have you learned? How can you improve the changes you are
trying to make? A new cycle can be reopened to start from the beginning.

Context Description
The Town
Teteles is a small town located in the north-east part of the state of Puebla. Its population
reaches over 5500 people and it has been known by its inhabitants as the small Athens. Its
nickname refers to the fact that many people from this town have a rich culture. Also because
there has been great professionals among various fields of study such as actors, singers, teachers,
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amateur-sports men and women. This small town has 3 elementary schools, one middle school,
one high school and one training for teachers college.

The School
The campus of Carmen Serdn training for teachers college is one of the most beautiful
around the country. Students do all their academic activities inside the campus. Three programs
are offered here in the field of education: Bachelors degree in Kindergarten education,
Bachelors degree in elementary education and Bachelors degree in secondary education.

The school has an English laboratory. It has 30 computers with internet access and they also have
the English learning software tell me more already installed. For its full use, computers have a
headset of microphone and speakers. Students do not have access to the software outside the
English laboratory.

Students
This research is focused on the students of the Bachelors degree in elementary school.
There are 2 sections of each generation to complete the 4 year-long program. Students start
studying English as a second language during the third semester of the program and finish at the
8th semester (see appendix 1). Most students of this school come from marginal regions and low
socio-economic-status families. Usually there are 20-30 students inside a classroom and they all
take the same classes together. Students from 3rd to 7th semester have two two-hour-long
sessions of English class every week.

The means for investigating the micro concern of what happens between teacher and students
will be through looking at the macro context: the wider social relationships between classrooms
participants and influences from outside the classroom Adrian Holliday (1995). I will observe
the relationships inside the classroom and be aware of my students needs through looking at the
macro context: the school.

Data Collection and Analysis

Two different groups will be taken into account to implement this research. I will be
teaching English as a second language (English A1) to group one, whilst group two will be
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working on their own with a self-learning software of English. Pretest and posttest will be
administered to both groups gathering information regarding vocabulary, listening
comprehension and grammar. Additional to test, students will be asked to keep journals of their
accomplishments and feed them once a week.

Burns, A. (1999, p. 133) states about student diaries and journals the following: When it is
oriented towards issues the teacher wishes to investigate, it can provide valuable insights into
classroom interactions and the students responses to their learning experiences Student
journals can usefully pinpoint areas of difficulty in learning. I intend to use student diaries and
journals for two purposes: those instruments will give me feedback of what they are learning and
they will also say how motivated students are to continue learning English as a second language.
In addition to journals and written exams a questionnaire will be administered at the beginning of
the course for both groups concerning their beliefs about English language.

Conclusion

The research shows that students learning using an English learning software is
comparative to the learning students obtain from a qualified teacher in an A1 English course. It
also demonstrates that students working only with the computer tend to be more focused on what
they are learning for longer periods of time.

Both groups showed important achievements. It was the journals the ones that helped students
stay focused on their learnings.
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Appendices
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References

Burns, A. (1999) Collaborative Action Research for English Language Teachers. Cambridge:

Cambridge University Press Oxford

Cambridge, university press. Common European framework of reference for languages. (n.d.)

Retrieved from https://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/Source/Framework_EN.pdf

Holliday, A. (1995). Appropriate Methodology and Social Context. Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press.

Inamdar, P. (2004). Computer skills development by children using hole in the wall' facilities in

rural India. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology. Retrieved from

http://www.hole-in-the-wall.com/docs/Paper04.pdf

INEE (2016).Mxico en PISA 2015. Mxico: INEE. Retrieved from

http://publicaciones.inee.edu.mx/buscadorPub/P1/D/316/P1D316.pdf

Mitra, S., Tooley, J., Inamdar, P. & Dixon, P. (2003). Improving English Pronunciation: an

automated instructional approach. Journal of Information Technologies & International

Development. Retrieved from http://itidjournal.org/itid/article/view/136

Oxford, R.L. (1990). Language Learning Strategies: What Every Teacher Should Know.

Boston: Heinle & Heinle.

Richards J.C. & Lockhart C. (1996). Reflective teaching in second language classrooms.

Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

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