The Effect of Blended Learning Through Meaning-Focused Input and Output Activities on Learning Collocations

Abstract

This study examined the effect of blended learning through meaning-focused input and output activities on learning collocations. The participants were 124 EFL learners selected from an initial pool of 162 participants, based on their performance on an Oxford Placement Test. The 124 learners were divided into four groups consisting of a conventional group (N=32), a blended group (N=28), a meaning-focused input group (N=33), and a meaning-focused output group (N=31). A collocations test was given to the four groups as a pretest. Then, the first group received the face-to-face conventional treatment. The second group was exposed to blended learning. The third group was treated with meaning-focused input activities in a blended learning environment. The last group was given meaning-focused output activities in a blended learning environment. After the treatment, the collocations posttest was administered. The results of one-way ANOVA indicated that blended learning significantly improved EFL learners’ collocational knowledge. Moreover, it was revealed that both meaning-focused input and output activities in a blended learning environment significantly enhanced EFL learners’ collocational knowledge. However, the meaning-focused output group outperformed the meaning-focused input group. The results are discussed and implications for English language teaching are presented.