Open Access
Should EFL teachers present vocabulary in semantically related sets?
(Universidad de Granada, 2015) Lázaro Ibarrola, Amparo; Hidalgo Gordo, María Ángeles; Filología y Didáctica de la Lengua; Filologia eta Hizkuntzaren Didaktika
La enseñanza de vocabulario agrupado en campos semánticos es práctica habitual en el aula de inglés como lengua extranjera. En este estudio se compara esta técnica con su contraria, la presentación de vocabulario no relacionado, con dos grupos de alumnos de un instituto. Tras presentar las palabras con ambas técnicas los alumnos completaron un post-test. Los resultados muestran la efectividad de ambas técnicas pero con una ligera ventaja para la enseñanza de vocabulario no relacionado semánticamente.
Open Access
El Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior y la fonética del inglés
(Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa, 2007) Lázaro Ibarrola, Amparo; Filología y Didáctica de la Lengua; Filologia eta Hizkuntzaren Didaktika
Open Access
Task repetition and collaborative writing by EFL children: beyond CAF measures
(Adam Mickiewicz University Press, 2020) Hidalgo Gordo, María Ángeles; Lázaro Ibarrola, Amparo; Ciencias Humanas y de la Educación; Giza eta Hezkuntza Zientziak
Research into the potential of collaborative writing is relatively new. Similarly, task repetition (TR), which has been claimed to be a valuable tool for language learning, has been rarely explored in the context of writing. Therefore, little is known about the potential of combining TR and collaborative writing, and even less if we focus on young learners (YLs), who constitute a generally under-researched population. With these research gaps in mind, the present study examines the compositions of 10 pairs of learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) (aged 12) who write the same text in response to the same picture prompt three times over a three-week period. Our analysis includes the language-related episodes (LREs) that learners generate while writing collaboratively and, also, a thorough analysis of the three drafts that students produce, including quantitative (com-plexity, accuracy and fluency (CAF)) and holistic measures. Results show that learners' compositions improve with repetition when measured by holistic ratings although CAF measures fail to grasp this improvement. As for the LREs, a great amount was found, most of the episodes were focused on form, most were successfully resolved and their amount declined with TR. In light of these results we argue in favor of the inclusion of holistic measures when analyzing students' productions and discuss the positive effects of collaborative writing in the context of TR with YLs.
Open Access
Questioning the effectiveness of procedural repetition: the case of Spanish EFL primary school learners
(Universidad de Granada, 2019) Lázaro Ibarrola, Amparo; Villarreal Olaizola, Izaskun; Ciencias Humanas y de la Educación; Giza eta Hezkuntza Zientziak
Varios estudios han mostrado que repetir la misma tarea con diferente contenido, lo que se denomina repetición procedimental (RP), ayuda a prestar atención a la forma y al desarrollo sintáctico. Asimismo, la RP es común y apropiada para el aula. Este experimento investiga los efectos de la RP en la producción de 5 parejas de niños españoles (11 años) aprendiendo inglés como lengua extranjera en un colegio y con un nivel de principiante. Las parejas construyeron y narraron tres historias, una cada semana, siguiendo un procedimiento similar. El análisis de la complejidad, precisión y fluidez de sus narraciones muestra que la RP no tiene un impacto significativo en las narraciones de los estudiantes, excepto en el caso de la diversidad léxica, que mejora en la tercera narración. A la luz de los resultados, se discuten las posibilidades de la RP con niños.
Open Access
A matter of age: negotiation for meaning in child and adult interactions
(Universidad de Vigo, 2022) Azpilicueta Martínez, Raúl; Lázaro Ibarrola, Amparo; Ciencias Humanas y de la Educación; Giza eta Hezkuntza Zientziak
Los hallazgos en estudios de interacción con poblaciones adultas han sido extrapolados a menudo a la población infantil sin apenas modificaciones. Además, las diferencias encontradas entre niños y adultos provienen de estudios en los que estas poblaciones realizan diferentes tareas o tienen diferentes niveles de competencia lingüística. Este trabajo de investigación pretende ofrecer una comparación más fiable mediante el análisis de interacciones de adultos y niños con el mismo nivel de competencia y realizando la misma tarea. Así, nuestro estudio analiza las estrategias de negociación de significado (NdS) y sus funciones comunicativas en las narraciones de una historia con vacíos de información de 20 aprendices jóvenes (8-9 años) y 14 adultos con un adulto experto. Los participantes compartían el castellano como L1 y tenían un nivel básico en inglés como lengua extranjera. Los resultados muestran que el grupo adulto utilizó más estrategias de NdS, a excepción de las comprobaciones de comprensión. Sin embargo, ambas poblaciones mostraron una proporción similar en el uso y funciones de dichas estrategias y una clara tendencia a imitar elementos de la producción de su interlocutor, más competente lingüísticamente, mediante el uso de repeticiones. Estos hallazgos sugieren que, con bajos niveles de competencia lingüística, el impacto del factor edad puede estar más relacionado con la cantidad de NdS que con el tipo y funciones de sus estrategias.
Open Access
What factors contribute to the proficiency of young EFL learners in primary school?: assessing the role of CLIL intensity, extramural English, non-verbal intelligence and socioeconomic status
(SAGE Journals, 2024-10-30) Lázaro Ibarrola, Amparo; Ciencias humanas y de la educación; Giza eta Hezkuntza Zientziak; Institute for Advanced Social Research - ICOMMUNITAS
Although multiple factors influence language proficiency in instructed settings, the prevalence of content and language integrated learning (CLIL) research in recent decades has placed intensity of exposure (via CLIL lessons) at center stage, sidelining other variables. This study aims to rectify this by examining the impact of CLIL alongside three additional factors: extramural English (EE), socioeconomic status (SES), and non-verbal intelligence (NVI). Specifically, this study analyses the interplay of these variables in the proficiency of 171 young English learners (aged 10-11 years) in Navarre, Spain. The participants were divided into a low-intensity (LI) (n = 54) group and a high-intensity (HI) (n = 117) group depending on exposure to English in school. Results indicate that HI learners are superior in reading, and even more clearly in speaking. EE is very frequent in both groups but more abundant among HI learners, and it shows several positive associations with learners¿ scores. Higher NVI levels positively correlate with all skills in both groups, except for speaking, which appears to be affected by EE and, to a lesser extent, by SES.
Open Access
Procedural repetition in task-based interaction among young EFL learners: does it make a difference?
(John Benjamins Publishing, 2017-12-30) Lázaro Ibarrola, Amparo; Hidalgo Gordo, María Ángeles; Filología y Didáctica de la Lengua; Filologia eta Hizkuntzaren Didaktika; Institute for Advanced Social Research - ICOMMUNITAS
Interactive tasks are valuable tools for L2 learners and have long made their way into language lessons. Among the different task conditions, only few studies have dealt with procedural repetition, which consists of repeating the same task type with different contents and which is frequently used in schools. In this study we explore the effects of procedural repetition on the oral interactions of ten pairs of English learners (age 11) who had to repeat a task three times. Their negotiation strategies and general performance (accuracy, fluency and complexity) were analysed. Results show that, in the third repetition, the amount of confirmation checks and repetitions decreased significantly and accuracy timidly improved. All other aspects remained unaffected. The pedagogical implications of these results are also discussed.
Open Access
Intensity matters inside and outside primary school: evidence from high-CLIL, low-CLIL, and non-CLIL learners
(Georgetown University, 2024-11-28) Lázaro Ibarrola, Amparo; Ciencias humanas y de la educación; Giza eta Hezkuntza Zientziak; Institute for Advanced Social Research - ICOMMUNITAS; Universidad Publica de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Research involving secondary school EFL learners has demonstrated that greater intensity of exposure, via CLIL lessons, yields notable benefits. However, studies in primary school are scarce and less optimistic. Furthermore, little is known about the effects of different degrees of CLIL intensity and of learners' exposure to Extramural English (EE) through formal or informal out-of-school activities. To address these gaps, this study examines the impact of CLIL and EE on the proficiency of 180 primary school learners of English (aged 10-11 years) divided into a high-CLIL (N = 78), a low-CLIL (N = 56), and a non-CLIL (N = 46) group. Results showed some advantages among high-CLIL learners, including higher scores and less intragroup variability, while no significant differences were observed between low-CLIL and non-CLIL learners. EE activities were common, with several weak but positive correlations found between EE and proficiency, particularly involving watching TV and reading, and mainly affecting non-CLIL learners.
Open Access
Are EFL writers motivated or demotivated by model texts and task repetition? Evidence from young collaborative writers
(Universidad de Murcia, 2021) Lázaro Ibarrola, Amparo; Villarreal Olaizola, Izaskun; Institute for Advanced Social Research - ICOMMUNITAS; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua, CENEDUCA18
Studies on multi-stage writing tasks with adults and children have shown that model texts and task repetition aid language acquisition, especially when learners work in collaboration. However, these studies have not included measures of task motivation, which is vital in young learners (YLs) and could help develop a more comprehensive understanding of task effectiveness. The present study analyses task motivation in 24 EFL YLs writing in pairs during three sessions divided into a model group (MG) and a task repetition group (TRG). Results show that students’ task motivation is high in general but declines in the MG while it is maintained in the TRG. As for the motives, working together is the main reason students give to justify their positive scores. These results complete previous knowledge about models and TR, reinforce the value of collaborative writing and encourage the inclusion of motivation measures in task-based research.
Open Access
Intensity of CLIL exposure and L2 motivation in primary school: evidence from Spanish EFL learners in non-CLIL, low-CLIL and high-CLIL programmes
(De Gruyter, 2023) Azpilicueta Martínez, Raúl; Lázaro Ibarrola, Amparo; Ciencias Humanas y de la Educación; Giza eta Hezkuntza Zientziak; Institute for Advanced Social Research - ICOMMUNITAS; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa, PJUPNA05-2022; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa, PJUPNA2023-11401
Preliminary studies suggest a positive effect of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) on young learners' (YLs) L2 motivation. However, much more research with larger samples is is necessary to gain a more detailed understanding of the interaction between CLIL exposure and L2 motivation. This study specifically explores the effect of different levels of CLIL exposure on YLs’ L2 motivation. To do so, five measures of motivation were analysed in 895 L1-Spanish YLs of English (mean age= 10.61) comprising a non-CLIL group (n=289) who had received five EFL weekly lessons; a low-CLIL group (n =152) who had received five EFL and two CLIL weekly lessons, and a high-CLIL group (n =454) who had received five EFL and seven CLIL weekly lessons. Normality, Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn-Bonferroni post-hoc tests were conducted. The results revealed significantly higher motivation levels for the high-CLIL learners over the low-CLIL group in all five measures, and higher motivational levels of the high-CLIL group over the non-CLIL group in four of the measures. The study provides evidence of the motivational benefits of high-CLIL exposure and underscores the need for further research on the motivational implications of low-CLIL programmes.