Examining the effects of ABRACADABRA, a web-based literacy program for primary school students in rural China

This study investigated the effects of A Balanced Reading Approach for Children Always Designed to Achieve Best Results for All (ABRACADABRA [ABRA]), a web-based literacy program developed by the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance (CSLP) at Concordia University, on primary school children in rural China. After adjusting for initial pre-test difference, experimental students scored significantly higher on all three key reading outcomes. The study provides evidence that ABRA is effective where English is used as a first or second language, and is also effective in a context where English is used as a foreign language (EFL)

Investigating EFL Teachers’ Perceptions and Meanings on Digital Storytelling in Language Learning: A Narrative Approach

The study was aimed at understanding the perceptions and meaning of EFL teachers when using digital storytelling for language learning in the classroom. Seven EFL teachers with experiences using digital storytelling in their language instruction were recruited for this study. Analysis of the data collected from the participants revealed several themes related to EFL teachers’ perceptions and meanings of using digital storytelling for language learning in the classroom. The results of the study indicate that teachers have hold overwhelmingly positive perceptions of digital storytelling as a teaching and learning tool in the classroom. Specifically, they view it as a highly creative and engaging teaching approach that allows students to express themselves in a more personalized and meaningful way. In addition, they believe that digital storytelling facilitates language acquisition and enhances cultural understanding. Furthermore, these findings are consistent with related theories in the field of language teaching and learning. However, the study also highlighted the challenges and limitation of using digital storytelling, such as resource constraints and technical difficulties. Therefore, educators should be mindful of these limitations and plan accordingly when incorporating digital storytelling into their language instruction

A meta-analysis of training effects on English phonological awareness and reading in native Chinese speakers

Enhancing English phonological awareness is critical in promoting native English speakers’ reading development. However, less attention has been paid to the role of phonological awareness development for English language learners in a logographic context. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of training native Chinese speakers’ English phonological awareness and reading across age groups. Thirty-three articles, including 37 independent samples, were identified as training studies that reported English phonological awareness as an outcome measure, and 16 articles, including 17 independent samples, featured training studies that reported reading as an outcome measure. Results based on a random-effect model revealed the effect sizes for overall English phonological awareness (including English syllable awareness, phoneme awareness, and rhyme awareness) and overall reading (including word reading and pseudoword reading) were g = 0.651 (n = 3137) and g = 0.498 (n = 1506), respectively. Specifically, instructional training exerted a small impact on word reading (g = 0.297), moderate effects on syllable awareness (g = 0.468) and pseudoword reading (g = 0.586), a medium to large effect on phoneme awareness (g = 0.736), and a large impact on rhyme awareness (g = 0.948). The moderator analyses yielded several significant findings. Regarding the English phonological awareness outcome, programs integrating lexical semantic knowledge exhibited the largest trend in enhancing native Chinese speakers’ skills. Among all age groups, upper elementary students benefited most from instructional training. Furthermore, more intensive training had a greater impact than less intensive training. In terms of the reading outcome, similar to English phonological awareness findings, upper elementary students realized the greatest improvements. Additionally, unpublished articles indicated a larger training effect on reading than published ones. These findings provide practitioners with guidelines for delivering effective instruction to promote phonological awareness and reading ability for English language learners in a logographic language context