Can Virtual Noticing Enhance L2 Students’ Lexical Complexity? A Study of the Effects of Online Discussions on L2 Learners’ Lexical Complexity

Authors

  • Diana Al Jahromi University of Bahrain

Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of using online discussions on L2 learners’ lexical complexity (LC) using a blend of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods to measure how L2 learners’ lexical variation, lexical density, and lexical richness can be influenced by online interactions facilitated in virtual discussions. In a quasi-experimental study, 50 3rd –year University of Bahrain L2 students were divided into an experimental group, which was involved in both in-class discussions and online discussion, and a control group, which was involved in in-class discussions only.  These students’ lexical variation, lexical density, and lexical richness were analysed and compared using three measures: type/token ratio (TTR), the total number of lexical words divided by total no. of words (L/W) and P_Lex lambda using measures of central tendency and independent sample t-tests. Overall results suggest that L2 learners’ LC can be significantly enhanced through the utilization of online discussions in L2 learning settings due to a number of interrelated cognitive factors. Accordingly, a number of significant implications and recommendations have been delineated.

Author Biography

Diana Al Jahromi, University of Bahrain

Dr Diana Al Jahromi is an assistant professor of Linguistics and is currently holding the post of the Quality Assurance Director in the College of Arts at the University of Bahrain (PhD 2012, University of Sheffield; MA (Honors), 2003, University of Bahrain; BA (Honors), 1995, University of Bahrain)). Dr Diana also has a Post Diploma in Academic Practice (PCAP) (2015, University of York St. John) and is a fellow affiliate of the British Higher Education Academy (HEA). Al Jahromi was also the Head of the Linguistics Section at the English Language and Literature Department. She has received a number of acknowledgements and awards (Most Distinguished Teacher, 2003; Bahrain e-Content Award, 2005). Dr Al Jahromi is an affiliate member of a number of renowned local, regional and international academic bodies and affiliations. Her research primary interests at present focus on areas related to quality assurance systems, discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, computational linguistics, corpus linguistics, and second language writing. Other areas of expertise include e-learning and instructional technology. Email: daljahrami@uob.edu.bh 

 

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Published

12/28/2020

How to Cite

Al Jahromi, D. (2020). Can Virtual Noticing Enhance L2 Students’ Lexical Complexity? A Study of the Effects of Online Discussions on L2 Learners’ Lexical Complexity. Arab Journal of Applied Linguistics, 5(2), 32–54. Retrieved from https://arjals.com/ajal/article/view/275

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2020): Regular Isssue

Section

New Articles

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