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Youth unemployment in South America 2014
World average: 13.0%
Source: ILO Trends Economic Models April 2014
Colombia 20.5%
Uruguay 18.5%
Argentina 17.3%
Venezuela 16.1%
Chile 16.1%
Brasil 13.6%
Paraguay 11.3%
Ecuador 10.1%
Perú 8.9 %
Bolivia 4.9%
English proficiency index 2015
Source: Education First http://www.ef.be/nl/epi/
Language learning for young professionals:
A governmental project viewed from the
Mobile Learning research perspective
Gustavo Garcia Botero
Frederik Questier
Outline of the presentation
1. Presentation of project carried out by the Ministry of Labor of Colombia.
2. Concerns about the project’s language learning component.
3. Suggestions to develop a similar project in your country
1.Project presentation
The 40.000 participants can study English and get a language certificate
Source: Facebook page of Duolingo
Source: Facebook page of Duolingo
Language certificate:
Certificate image adapted from: http://blog.kalmstrom.com/2014/09/english-proficiency-proof-1010.html
2. Concerns in the language component of the project
A. Concerns from a pedagogical perspective
About Duolingo app:
• Methodology based on translation
• Vision of language learning as grammar and vocabulary
• Course completion
B. Concerns from the learning perspective
Effectiveness of the app
Based on Vesselinov, R., & Grego, J. (2012). Duolingo effectiveness study. City University of New York, USA.
B. Concerns from the learning perspective
• Development of language skills:
Listening, speaking reading and writing
• How much English can participants learn from the app?
C. Concerns from the evaluation perspective
• Relationship between the content of the app and the language certificate.
• Recognition of certificate as a proof of language competence.
3. Is it worth to replicate the language project in my country?
Absolutely!
Reasons How can we make it better?
Promotes lifelong learning Train participants in self- regulated learning with mobile devices (Garcia Botero, Questier, Botero, study in progress)
3. Is it worth to replicate the language project in my country?
Reasons How can we make it better?
Cost effectiveness: Study language in the app: Free Language certificate: $ 20
Extend the recognition of the Duolingo certification.
Absolutely!
3. Is it worth to replicate the language project in my country?
Reason How do I need to know?
positive reception of users.
Studies on acceptance of Mobile technologies and acceptance of Duolingo. (Garcia Botero, Questier, He, Zhu. Study in progress)
Absolutely!
Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology
(Garcia Botero, Questier, He, Zhu. Study in progress)
The technical issue is not the biggest concern in Colombia.
But in context similar to the Colombian one we should work on the attitude of the participants towards using these technologies to learn.
(Garcia Botero, Questier, Hé, Zhu. Study in progress )
3. Is it worth to replicate the language project in my country?
Reason
How can we make it better?
Duolingo does have a contribution to language learning
Think about other teaching and learning methods that can complement what is offered in the platform
Implement Duolingo in a language where students are real beginners
Absolutely!
3. Is it worth to replicate the language project in my country?
Reasons To consider
Encouragement of lifelong learning. Via interministerial programs
Train participants in Self-Regulated learning
Duolingo and the Duolingo certificate are cost effective compared to other proficiency exams
Extend the recognition of the Duolingo certificate test.
it has a positive reception on users.
Study the acceptance conditions to use Mobile Learning and Duolingo in your context.
Duolingo does contribute to language learning
Think about other teaching and learning methods that can complement what is offered in the platform
Implement Duolingo in a language where students are real beginners
Conclusion
Duolingo is a promising app that can spread free language education to the world...
...just do not think it is ultimate answer to language learning.
