INTEGRATION OF WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGIES INTO FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSROOM AT HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

The paper reports the results of an exploratory qualitative and quantitative study investigating the potential of Web 2.0 technologies as learning tools for the development of learners’ foreign language skills. In particular, the research is devoted to foreign language communicative competence since it is considered a necessary skill for the further development of university students both at higher educational institution and in their careers. The study suggests that the connectivist practice via Web 2.0 tools provides any significant effect on improving learners’ foreign language communicative skills. This research involved a total of 16 students, doing their BA in Karaganda Buketov University, 8 of them used various Web 2.0 services, and the other 8 in a control group followed the same curriculum, but without web applications for 14 weeks. Questionnaires were used to investigate learners’ perceptions of the task value and of their performance and confidence changes over time. Pre- and post-productive tests were used to compare the participants’ language productions before/after the project. The results of the analysis revealed the outperformance of the experimental group over the control one and allowed to recognize learners’ positive attitudes towards the use of Web 2.0 tools. Thus, the study confirms the effectiveness of the introduction of Web 2.0 technologies in teaching a foreign language to improve students' language skills.