The Use of Digital Tools as an Ecolinguistics Environment to Increase Learners’ Autonomy

Abstract

 Due to globalization, the amount of digital resources to learn and teach languages has increased dramatically. These resources have helped students learn English and they have been also promoting their autonomy providing a propitious environment for learning; furthermore, the connectivity between different people brings numerous benefits, if used properly. However, these digital technologies are helpless if the learner does not perceive its importance and reframes their conventional usage, realizing it as a learning tool. Therefore, the main purpose of this work is to point out how these digital tools tend to give more autonomy to the learner and can facilitate the whole language learning/acquisition process. After revising the literature in both areas ”“ digital resources used to learn English and learners”Ÿ
autonomy ”“ I describe the importance of technology to learning a second language, relating the concepts of digital resources working as an ecolinguistic system used to interact in the target language, and learners”Ÿ autonomy. Finally, I reflect on the effects of using this
technology, as a natural interaction environment of informal learning that may affect learners”Ÿ autonomy.

  References   COUTO, H. Língua e Meio Ambiente. In: Rev. Est. Ling., Belo Horizonte, v. 17, n. 1, p. 143-178, jan./jun. 2009. Disponivel em :< http://periodicos.letras.ufmg.br/index.php/relin/article/viewFile/2524/2476 > Acesso em: Mar. 2016

DUFF, P.A; TALMY, S. Language socialization approaches to second language acquisition: Social, cultural, and linguistic development in additional languages. In: D. Atkinson (Ed.). Alternative Approaches to second language acquisition. New York. Routledge, 2011, p. 95-116.

JORDÃO, C. ILA ”“ ILF ”“ ILE ”“ ILG: Quem dá conta? In: Revista Brasileira de Linguística Aplicada, Belo Horizonte, v. 14, n. 1, p. 13-40, 2014 13. Disponível em: < http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbla/v14n1/a02v14n1.pdf > Acesso em: 20 de Jul. de 2015

LEFFA, V. J. Quando menos é mais: a autonomia na aprendizagem de línguas. In: Christine Nicolaides; Isabella Mozzillo; Lia Pachalski; Maristela Machado; Vera Fernandes. (Org.). O desenvolvimento da autonomia no ambiente de aprendizagem de línguas estrangeiras. Pelotas: UFPEL, 2003, v.1, p. 33-49. Disponível em: < http://www.leffa.pro.br/ > acesso em: 18 de Nov. 2014

GRAMEGNA, B. Formal Language Teaching versus Informal Language Learning

Supported by Mobile Devices In: International Conference “ICT for language learning”. 5th edition. 2012. Disponivel em: < http://conference.pixel-online.net/ICT4LL2012/common/download/Paper_pdf/125-QIL18-FP-Gramegna-ICT2012.pdf > Acesso em: 14 de Dez. 2015

GUTIÉRREZ, G.A. Sociocultural theory and its application to CALL: A study of the computer and its relevance as a mediational tool in the process of collaborative activity. In: ReCALL 18 (2): 230-251. Cambridge University Press, 2006

NICOLAIDES, C.; FERNANDES, V. Crenças e atitudes que marcam o desenvolvimento da autonomia no aprendizado de língua estrangeira. In: The ESPecialist, v.23, n.1, p.75-99, 2002 disponivel em: < http://revistas.pucsp.br/index.php/esp/article/view/9390/6962 > acesso em: 22 dez, 2015

NUNAN, David. Nine steps to learner autonomy. In: Symposium, 2003, < http://www.andrasprak.su.se/polopoly_fs/1.84007.1333707257!/menu/standard/file/2003_11_Nunan_eng.pdf > acesso em 22 nov. 2014

PAIVA, V.L.M.O. Autonomia e complexidade: uma análise de narrativas de aprendizagem. In: FREIRE, M.M; ABRAHÃO, M.H.V; BARCELOS, A.M.F (Orgs.). Lingüística Aplicada e Contemporaneidade. Campinas e São Paulo: Pontes e ALAB, 2005a. p.135-153 < http://www.veramenezes.com/publicacoes.html > acesso em : 23 nov. 2014

______. Autonomy in second language acquisition. SHARE: An Electronic Magazine by Omar Villarreal and Marina Kirac N. 146, 2005b, < http://www.veramenezes.com/publicacoes.html > acesso em: 06 dez 2014 .

______. Propiciamento (affordance) e autonomia na aprendizagem de língua inglesa, In: LIMA, Diógenes Cândido. Aprendizagem de língua inglesa: histórias refletidas. Vitória da Conquista: Edições UESB, 2009. < http://www.veramenezes.com/publicacoes.html > Acesso em: 06 dez 2014

______. Ambientes Virtuais de aprendizagem: Implicações epistemológicas, In: Educação em Revista. Belo Horizonte. v.26,n.03. p.353-370, dez. 2010 < http://www.scielo.br/pdf/edur/v26n3/v26n3a18 > acesso em: 13 dez 2015

PRENSKY, M. Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. In: On the Horizon MCB University Press, Vol. 9 No. 5, October 2001. Acesso em: 06 fev 2015 < http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf >

SNYDER, Ilana. Literacy, Learning and Technology Studies. In: The sage handbook of e-learning research. Monash University Library p.394-415, 2007

GOMES, F. W.; SILVA, A. C. O. Aprender Línguas Estrangeiras por meio das TICs na Perspectiva da Ecolinguística. Revista Litteris, v. 10, p. 46, 2012. Acesso em 11 mar 2016 Disponível em:

TOMLINSON, B. Materials Development in Language Teaching. Second Edition, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2011

VYGOTSKY, L.S. Mind in society: the development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press

WARSCHAUER, M.; LIAW, M. Emerging technologies in adult literacy and language education. National Institute for Literacy Contract No. ED-04-CO-0121/0002, 2010