Abstract
Reported in this article are the development and evaluation ofPracticing Spoken French (PSF), a multimedia program designed to assess the effects of subtitled video on oral communicative performance of fifth-semester college students of French. The rationale for the development of an alternative to current computer-based initiatives for speaking practice is presented. This is followed by a description of three aspects of the PSF program: design, visual input, and technical features. The results of the field test conducted with PSF are presented, and the strengths and limitations of the program are discussed. Implications and recommendations are offered for computer-assisted language learning (CALL) design and research.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abraham, R. G., & Liou, H-Ch. (1991). Interaction generated by three computer programs: Analysis of functions of spoken language. In P. Dankel (Ed.),Computer-assisted language learning and testing: Research issues and practice (pp. 85–109). New York: Newbury House.
Ahmad, K., Corbett, G., Rogers, M., & Sussex, R. (1985).Computers, language learning and language teaching. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Anderson, J. R. (1980).Cognitive psychology and its implications. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Ariew, R. (1987). Integrating video and CALL in the curriculum: The role of the ACTFL Guidelines. In W. F. Smith (Ed.),Modern media in foreign language education: Theory and implementation (pp. 41–66). Lincolnwood, IL: National Textbook Company.
Brown, G., & Yule, G. (1983).Teaching the spoken language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Bruner, J. (1977).The process of education (rev. ed.). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Chun, D. M., & Brandl, K. K. (1992). Beyond form-based drill and practice: Meaning-enhancing CALL on the Macintosh.Foreign Language Annals, 25(3), 255–267.
Eylon, B., & Reif, F. (1984). Effects of knowledge organization on task performance.Cognition and Instruction, 1(1), 5–44.
France Panorama [video magazine]. (1991). New York: Eagle Multimedia Services.
Friedman, P. G. (1980).Shyness and reticence in students. Washington, DC: National Education Association.
Garza, T. J. (1991). Evaluating the use of captioned video materials in advanced foreign language learning.Foreign Language Annals, 24(3), 239–258.
Jonassen, D. H. (1986). Hypertext principles for text and courseware design.Educational Psychologist, 13, 15–30.
Jonassen, D. H., & Wang, S. (1993). Acquiring structural knowledge from semantically structured hypertext.Journal of Computer-Based Instruction, 20(1), 1–8.
Jung, U. O. H. (1990). The challenge of broadcast videotex to applied linguistics.International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching (IRAL), 28(3), 201–220.
Meunier-Cinko, L. (1992). Interactive French language curricula of the future: A study of computer and video potential.French Review, 66(1), 147–153.
Mydlarski, D. M. (1987). Cooperative computer-assisted language learning: Is it living up to its promise?Journal of Educational Techniques and Technologies, 20, 26–29.
Northrup, L. (1993). Human performance with interactive videodisc technology: The element of human interaction. In F. L. Borchardt & E. M. T. Johnson (Eds.),CALICO '93 “assessment” (pp. 122–125). Durham, NC: Duke University.
Piper, A. (1986). Conversation and the computer: A study of the conversational spin-off generated among learners of English as a foreign language working in groups.System, 14, 187–198.
Price, K. (1983). Closed-captioned TV: An untapped resource.MATSOL Newsletter, 12(2), 7–8.
Reif, F., & Heller, J. I. (1982). Knowledge structure and problem solving in physics.Educational Psychologist, 17, 102–127.
Reigeluth, C. M. (Ed.). (1983).Instructional-design theories and models: An overview of their current status. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Robinson, G., Underwood, J. Rivers, W., Hernández, J., Rudesill, C., & Enseñat. (1985).Computer assisted instruction in foreign language education: A comparison of the effectiveness of different methodologies and different forms of error correction. San Francisco: Center for Language and Crosscultural Skills. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 262 626)
Salomon, G. (1979).Interaction of media, cognition and learning. Washington, DC: Jossey-Bass.
Salomon, G. (1983). The different investment in mental effort in learning from different sources.Educational Psychologist 18, 42–51.
Shavelson, R. J. (1974). Methods for examining representations of a subject-matter structure in a student's memory.Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 11, 231–249.
Singer, J. (1980). The power and limitations of television: A cognitive-affective analysis. In P. Tannenbaum (Ed.),Entertainment functions of television (pp. 31–65). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Stern, H. H. (1983).Fundamental concepts of language teaching. New York: Oxford University Press.
Vanderplank, R. (1988). The value of teletext subtitles in language learning.ELT Journal, 42(4), 272–281.
Windeatt, S. (1986). Observing CALL in action. In G. Leech & C.N. Candlin (Eds.),Computers in English language teaching and research (pp. 79–97). New York: Longman.
Winograd, T., & Flores, F. (1986).Understanding computers and cognition: A new foundation for design. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Wittrock, M. C. (1974). Learning as a generative process.Educational Psychologist, 11, 87–95.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Borrás, I. Developing and assessingPracticing Spoken French: A multimedia program for improving speaking skills. ETR&D 41, 91–103 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02297514
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02297514