Enhancing Performance Knowledge of Grammar: Modern-based Instruction Methods Vs. Conventional Methods

Abstract

Foreign language education and technology use is one of the research field that is continuously growing. The present study was designed to explore whether there is any significant difference between CALL-based instruction and conventional methods in teaching ESP learners in Iran. The sample of this study consisted from 98 students from Department of Foreign Language Education at Tonekabon Payam Noor University (PNU) who were distributed randomly on an experimental group and a control groups. These classes incorporated with electronic pen pals, interactive whiteboard (IWB) and threaded discussions in an undergraduate-level elective CALL course (grammar 1 &2) offered during the academic year of 2014-2015. This study also attempts to bridge the gap between the theoretical and practical sides of using CALL in teaching grammar and linguistics. There upon, the findings of this study may be functional for different categories of people; it may help ESP curricula designers and ESP methodologists develop teaching materials which suit various ways of teaching and match students’ level of achievement in grammatical structures. It is anticipated that this study shed light on the benefits of using computers in language learning in general, and in learning English grammar in particular.