Effects of Google Translate on Vocabulary Acquisition and Reading Comprehension
Effects of Google Translate on Vocabulary Acquisition and Reading Comprehension
Abstract
With the rapid development of technology, more modern ways are applied to English learning. Though technology towards language learning has been extensively studied in recent years, the influences of online translation are seldom examined. This study investigates the effects of Google translate on English vocabulary acquisition and article comprehension. It was hypothesized that Google translate can improve students’ performance in both aspects. The research was evaluated by an experiment which needed participants to read one article and finish some related quizzes. To make a comparison, participants were divided into two groups with only one can use Google translate. The results were unexpected. It seems that Google translate does not has a significant positive effect to help students learn English vocabulary and to improve reading comprehension. Students who learn English, teachers who want to help their students make progress and researchers in this area could benefit from this study.
Introduction
The rapid development of technology in recent decades benefits the education area. Besides traditional teaching methods, more approaches are employed in language learning to help learners make progress.
Many studies have focused on impacts of different kinds of technology on English learning. Previous research from Kung and Chuo (2002) affirmed that college students acknowledge the Internet as a useful tool to learn English. Chun and Plass (1996) suggested that with multimedia program to assist high school students in reading articles, the rate of incidental vocabulary learning increased. However, few studies have examined the effects of online translation service on English learning. Research studies both vocabulary learning and reading comprehension is also difficult to find. Therefore, further investigations are needed.
This research is aimed at investigating the
Abstract
With the rapid development of technology, more modern ways are applied to English learning. Though technology towards language learning has been extensively studied in recent years, the influences of online translation are seldom examined. This study investigates the effects of Google translate on English vocabulary acquisition and article comprehension. It was hypothesized that Google translate can improve students’ performance in both aspects. The research was evaluated by an experiment which needed participants to read one article and finish some related quizzes. To make a comparison, participants were divided into two groups with only one can use Google translate. The results were unexpected. It seems that Google translate does not has a significant positive effect to help students learn English vocabulary and to improve reading comprehension. Students who learn English, teachers who want to help their students make progress and researchers in this area could benefit from this study.
Introduction
The rapid development of technology in recent decades benefits the education area. Besides traditional teaching methods, more approaches are employed in language learning to help learners make progress.
Many studies have focused on impacts of different kinds of technology on English learning. Previous research from Kung and Chuo (2002) affirmed that college students acknowledge the Internet as a useful tool to learn English. Chun and Plass (1996) suggested that with multimedia program to assist high school students in reading articles, the rate of incidental vocabulary learning increased. However, few studies have examined the effects of online translation service on English learning. Research studies both vocabulary learning and reading comprehension is also difficult to find. Therefore, further investigations are needed.
This research is aimed at investigating the
References: 1. Dorothy M.Chun & Jan L. Plass (1996) Effects of Multimedia Annotations on Vocabulary Acquisition. The Modern Language Journal, Vol. 80, No.2, pp. 183-198. 2. Elke Peters (2007) Manipulating L2 Learners ' Online Dictionary Use and Its Effect on L2 Word Retention. Language Learning & Technology, Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 36-58. 3. Shiao-Chuan Kung & Tun-Whei Chuo (2002) Students’ perceptions of English Learning through ESL/EFL Websites. Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language [online], Vol. 6. No. 1. Available from: http://tesl-ej.org/ej21/a2.html [21 May 2012] (The reference of the article which is used in quiz: Daniel Gross (2010) Trade Is the New Plastics. Young Americans need to learn to sell and buy overseas. [online] Slate Magazine. Available from:http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2010/08/trade_is_the_new_plastics.html [10th April 2012])