Attitudes of Jordanian university students towards using online chat discourse with native speakers of English for improving their language proficiency

• Published in: Computer assisted language learning Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 207 - 227
• Main Authors: Mahfouz, Safi M., Ihmeideh, Fathi M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 01.07.2009
• Subjects: College Students; Computer Assisted Instruction; English (Second Language); Foreign Countries; Gender Differences; Jordan; Language Proficiency; Language Skills; Listening Skills; Native Speakers; native speakers of English; online chat; Reading Skills; Second Language Instruction; Second Language Learning; Speech Skills; Student Attitudes; synchronous computer-mediated-communication; Teaching Methods; Video Technology; Writing Skills; Jordan
• ISSN: 0958-8221; 1744-3210
• DOI: 10.1080/09588220902920151

This study aims to investigate Jordanian university students' attitudes towards using video and text chat discourse with anonymous native speakers of English to improve their English proficiency. To achieve this aim, a questionnaire was designed. The study sample consisted of 320 university students enrolled in two Jordanian universities. Results revealed that students' attitudes towards using video and text chat with English native speakers for improving their English language skills were higher concerning speaking skills, followed by listening skills, reading skills and finally writing skills. Furthermore, results indicated that there were statistically significant differences amongst students, which are attributed to their gender, the faculty they are enrolled in, the chat messenger mode they use most frequently and their seniority of study at university. In light of the aforementioned results, the researchers proposed a number of pedagogical recommendations.