Using a corpus for written production: A classroom study
Using a corpus for written production: A classroom study

Author(s): Monika Geist, Angela Hahn
Subject(s): Education, Language acquisition, Psycholinguistics, Methodology and research technology, Philology
Published by: Masarykova univerzita nakladatelství
Keywords: non-advanced learners; autonomous corpus use; writing; reflection; young learners;
Summary/Abstract: This paper discusses an action-research study of learner driven corpus use by intermediate learners of English (age 14 to 16) while writing a cover letter using BNC BABY with XAIRA software. After practising different software functions, the students wrote a cover letter with the Internet and the corpus at their disposal. Although they had acquired all the necessary technical skills, they lacked language sensitivity and consequently had difficulties in finding language issues to check. In addition, factors such as motivation, the corpus used and the group size were also revealed to be influential. Individual successful learners showed that given a sufficient degree of language awareness and reflection, learner-driven corpus use could enhance their writing activities.

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