Effects of Text-based QQ Communication on Medical College Students English Writing

Abstract

In this study, the author integrated QQ into the study of non-English majors in a medical university. The purposes of this study are to find out learner attitudes towards the design of the English writing program in QQ, to examine student performance in terms of linguistic accuracy and complexity, and to explore affordance of QQ as a platform for English writing. The guided theoretical framework for the design of the study is constructivist learning theory. Task based learning approach is applied to control the learning procedure and guide the participants. The research methodology includes a combination of quantity and quality methods, descriptive analysis, and content analysis. Results indicate that the participants all hold positive attitudes towards the design of the English writing in this platform. Learner performance in terms of linguistic accuracy has been enhanced as evidenced by: the decreased number of grammatical errors and decreased percentage of grammatical errors to total number of sentences. Learner performance in terms of linguistic complexity is significantly improved according to the following aspects: the relatively increased length of the essay within the given time; the decrease of various errors; and the increase of the compound sentences and the complex sentences, etc. Findings showthat task-based English writing in QQ is effective in scaffolding English language learning. Participants preferred the writing in QQ, including either the real-time interactions and communications or non-real-time ones, which proved to be a promising language learning environment and should be considered and further studied by educators.