Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in Modern Languages

Department

Modern Languages

First Advisor

Tamara Warhol

Second Advisor

Larisa Warhol

Third Advisor

Esim Erdim

Relational Format

dissertation/thesis

Abstract

With the internationalization of the English language and the rise of the internet and other computer-mediated forms of communication (CMC), researchers have examined what the culture surrounding the English language includes, the literacy and language that is used in CMC interaction, and how the above come together in the language classroom. This paper examines performances on quizzes of two beginner ESL classrooms (one used a blog and one did not) to see if using supplemental blog tasks affects culture acquisition. The cultural readings in the textbook as well as the characteristics of blogs not present in textbooks were examined to see what might be worthwhile about weblogs as teaching and learning tools. Results suggest that blog tasks are helpful to students working towards acquiring culture when working with specific texts and by exposing students to a new media - the form and operation of which can be culture dependent.

Concentration/Emphasis

Emphasis: Applied Linguistics and TESOL

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