Pixel International Conferences

MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) are seen as a turning point for language learning (Perifenau, 2015). For language learners, MOOCs present a noticeable change for learners from different backgrounds with flexible and practical training (Martin-Monje & Barcena, 2014). Based on this idea, Speak English-MOOC project has been developed jointly by Bartın University and Eşkişehir Anadolu University from Turkey, BEST Institut für berufsbezogene Weiterbildung und Personaltraining GmbH from Austria and Universidad Politecnica De Madrid from Spain, and is funded [1] by the Erasmus+ Programme of the EU during 2019-2021. The purpose of the project is to design a 6-week English language MOOC for A2 level adult learners focusing on speaking skill. To develop this content, the first defined activity was to analyze the needs of the target learners to make decisions on the goals and content of a language MOOC. Within the needs assessment step of the project, the purpose was to identify what hinders learners to speak English, what motivates them, what kind of topics would make them willing to speak, what skills they would like to focus on or need to improve, what type of activities they would like to be engaged with, and what kind of materials they would like to use to speak English. To identify these needs, a questionnaire was developed and administered to a total of 191 adult language learners in all countries. Overall findings of the needs assessment revealed that a majority of the respondents felt uncomfortable while speaking in English. Furthermore, delivering formal speeches or handling negotiations in English caused a serious spike in the level of anxiety. In general, lack of fluency, fear of making mistakes due to lack of vocabulary (e.g. phrasal verbs and colloquial expressions), and imprecise pronunciation were the most commonly stated concerns by the respondents. All in all, like many other learners of a foreign language, the respondents also noted that they would like to be fluent language users who talk with a certain level of confidence and who can handle any situation that may come up during travels to foreign countries. Therefore, based on the results from the in-depth analysis of target learners’ needs, the project aims to meet these needs by creating an online content for learners to practise aspects of speaking skill with tasks that reflect everyday situations and interactive contexts.

Keywords: MOOCs, Erasmus+, project, adult learners, curriculum.

References:

1. “Funded by the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union (Project No: 2019- 1- TR01- KA204-074155). However, European Commission and Turkish National Agency cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein”