The effect of exploiting corpora in TEFL classroom: A case study

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to study the integration of data-driven corpus-based methodology in an inductive and learner-centered way in TEFL classes. More concretely, it evaluates a potential strategy of having Iranian EFL students appeal to a large target language monolingual corpus searching a certain grammatical pattern. The results reveal the high effectiveness of corpus consultation as a supplement to conventional language learning tools such as grammar textbooks, dictionaries and the like. The results also made clear that the effect of corpus on students' self-learning increases as their level of language proficiency enhances. The total improvement of the students on using corpora has been gained as 18.4% which is promising in its own status. © 2011 ACADEMY PUBLISHER Manufactured in Finland.