Fostering the Learning of English Idioms by Setting Children within a Virtual Environment

摘要

There has been a shift to technology-enhanced learning. New technology enables English teachers to expand learning with more ample resources and dynamic activities. Technology-enhanced learning has diversified learning activities in classroom or outside of classroom (van der Zwaard & Bannink, 2016). Scholars found drama to be an effective pedagogical tool to enhance children's language learning, communication, and personal development (Brouillette, 2010). The integration of drama and digital technology provides situational and experiential learning which can improve students' learning attainment. The researchers conducted a digital theater project and attempted to examine the effect of this integration approach on English acquisition and learning attitudes. The pre- and post-language tests and survey were devised for this investigation. A repeated measure was performed to see the effect and retention of the language. The results showed that the digital drama theater project had a significant impact on English learning. Children were able to retain the majority of the previously learned language. Their motivation, confidence, and attitudes toward the digital technology were also significantly increased.