Description

An analysis on the Bronze Award Scheme was conducted to examine its effectiveness to help students to develop independent language learning skills and identify areas of improvement.

Questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews, which had been piloted, were conducted in February-March 2011 to collect feedback from teachers and students. From April to June 2011, data collected from the questionnaire surveys and interviews were being collated and analyzed.

Data show and have proven the importance of developing an incentive scheme to develop student’s independent language learning skills. The Bronze Award Scheme was found to be able to increase student’s awareness of her independent learning skills. There is information useful for guiding practices in improving the existing Scheme. There are also some recommendations on the types of resources to be added in CILL and some insights on how students can be encouraged to improve their English abilities and to develop their independent language skills and strategies.

Intended Educational Value

The project results confirm the importance of developing an incentive scheme to develop students’ independent language learning skills. Participants agree that the bronze award scheme can serve as a tool to develop an increased awareness of their independent learning skills, including e-learning, analytical thinking skills and strategy for learning. This study has also provided information useful for guiding practices in improving the existing bronze award scheme. Some participants argue that the method of using the folders to record the independent learning process could be adopted for the silver award scheme in providing out-of-class English practice opportunities. In response to participants’ view, the incentive scheme activities could be utilized as ‘class-based’ learning tasks. The project also provides some insights on how students can be encouraged to both improve their English language skills, and to develop their independent learning skills and strategies. All participants also agree that the CILL website is useful for fostering continual online opportunity for language learning.

Example of Application

To illustrate, the project findings reflect that the bronze award scheme may be modified to support and extend ongoing independent language learning within the ELC and the Polytechnic University. In particular, participants found it very useful to follow a set of systematic guidelines to enhance their motivation to learn essential English language skills in order to communicate effectively for further studies or career advancement.

Evaluation

The findings show that the bronze award scheme is effective in helping students to develop independent language learning skills. More emphasis could be placed on allowing students to choose CILL study worksheets. This increased understanding will help the CILL modify the Scheme to reduce the proportion of using the book “The Study Skills Handbook”. This might meet the genuine needs and equip students of the Polytechnic University with necessary skills for independent language learning, and enhance their ability to self-assess their language ability. Last but not least, it is advisable to provide more training and support for the CILL counter staff to understand the Scheme in order to answer enquiries raised by the participants in an appropriate manner.