Using online databases in the linguistics classroom: dealing with clause patterns

Abstract

In recent years, a corpus-driven approach to the analysis of language and the appropriateness of applying new technologies in language pedagogy have gained considerable attention. The integration of corpus applications in the language classroom enables both teachers and learners to reflect on genuine data with the assistance of computer technologies. This article aims at illustrating an application of an online corpus database for the teaching and learning of clause patterns. So as to serve this purpose, a continuous assessment task, especially designed for the undergraduate course Gramàtica Descriptiva de l'Anglès II (GDAII) “Descriptive Grammar of English II” will be presented, as well as a description of the questionnaire that was carried out among participants aimed at assessing their satisfaction towards the newly designed online database and the effectiveness of the task.

Keywords:

• valency pattern database
• EFL higher education
• student satisfaction questionnaire
• interactive learning
• corpus-based tools
• open-source e-learning software platform

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the support of the AGAUR (2008MQD00020) and the Programa d'Innovació Docent of the University of Barcelona (2009PID-UB/06) and are also grateful to the students at the English Department at the University of Barcelona.

Notes

1. This type of complementation was excluded since it is only covered at the end of the course; plus, it proves more difficult to find sentences which are free of clausal arguments, making the task more challenging.