EAPQUEST AS A MODIFIED VERSION OF WEBQUEST IN THE CONTEXT OF UNIVERSITY TEACHING Cover Image

EAPQUEST AS A MODIFIED VERSION OF WEBQUEST IN THE CONTEXT OF UNIVERSITY TEACHING
EAPQUEST AS A MODIFIED VERSION OF WEBQUEST IN THE CONTEXT OF UNIVERSITY TEACHING

Author(s): Kamila Burzyńska
Subject(s): Foreign languages learning
Published by: IATEFL Poland Computer Special Interest Group and The University of Nicosia
Keywords: WebQuest; EAP; writing instruction; materials design

Summary/Abstract: The Internet provides a powerful digital learning environment for language acquisition and noticing. Thus implementation of challenging tasks to be solved by exploring the Web may sound appealing. The primary idea of the WebQuest project emphasizes data collection. The idea of the TalenQuest, however, goes beyond this traditional concept so as to draw on the richness of both ELT materials and authentic resources in terms of the target language. Consequently, TalenQuest activities may constitute effective SLA activities. Doing a webbased second language research should therefore result in enhancing one’s language areas and developing language skills. Taking all the possible advantages which may derive from taking part in a TalenQuest project into account, the implementation of this activity format in university contexts seems justified. There is a need, nevertheless, to customize the idea of TalenQuest for academic language learning specifically. Such an activity format, the EAPQuest, may have educational and motivational value especially when learners are confronted with tasks they find challenging. Writing an academic essay definitely matches the description. The aim of the article is therefore to present the concept of the EAPQuest as a motivating tool to train web-related language skills. Furthermore, an EAPQuest is sketched so as to illustrate a sample procedure. This may serve as a stimulus for designing materials and applying similar procedures into one’s own learning environment.

  • Issue Year: 12/2012
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 48-67
  • Page Count: 20
  • Language: English