Integrating corpus-based CALL programs in teaching English through children's literature

Abstract

This paper presents particular pedagogical applications of a number of corpus-based CALL (computer assisted language learning) programs such as CONTEXTS and CLOZE, MATCHUP and BILINGUAL SENTENCE SHUFFLER, in the teaching of English through children's literature. An elective course in Taiwan for school students aged 17–18, based on a classic text in English children's literature, was developed specifically to assist these learners. The pedagogy for the study reflected the Noticing Theory, the Communicative Approach, and the Data-driven Learning Approach. It is hoped that the course can indicate ways of enriching the usual routine classroom teaching by introducing activities that offer a more communicative purpose for students' language learning.

Keywords:

• CALL
• corpus
• data-driven learning
• children's literature