The Use of Web 2.0 Tools in the Foreign Language Classroom

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the role that Web 2.0 tools can play in the enhancement of productive and receptive language skills of students of Arabic as a foreign language. The study is part of an ongoing project on the integration of Web 2.0 tools in teaching Arabic as a foreign language and the attitudes of the learners towards them. The design of the study is pre-post, experimental-control group. The sample consisted of (30) students: an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15), doing their BA in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the International Peace College South Africa (IPSA). The experiment took place in the Language Skills module for 12 weeks.  A technology-enhanced programme that utilises a myriad of Web 2.0 tools was used in teaching the experimental group. The control group students, however, were taught using a traditional teaching methodology in a brick-and-mortar classroom and they did not receive any technology-enhanced instruction. The study concluded that the use of Web 2.0 tools has contributed to the enhancement of the language skills and vocabulary of the students.  The findings indicated that there was a significant statistical difference between the scores of the two groups in the language skills and vocabulary post-test in favour of the experimental group.