This study set out to explore the efficacy of authentic online instructional materials and tasks in promoting engagement, critical thinking, and international awareness in a small sample of Japanese EFL learners majoring in medical science. The study measured student impressions of, and attitudes towards, tasks related to providing microfinance loans to borrowers in developing countries through the English-medium website of the non-profit organization KIVA. In a modularized CLIL unit, students assessed pools of potential borrowers and extended loans on four occasions. Data related to these tasks were collected using an instrument comprised of ten semantic differential scale items and open-ended items. Results of the semantic differential scale items indicated that students were positively oriented towards these materials and tasks, with participants endorsing their global orientation and meaningful content, as well as their overall importance, positive value, and appeal to interest. The open-ended items further supported positive attitudes towards these materials and tasks, with students finding them an interesting, practical, and novel way to learn about the world while helping others. They also indicated that the process of learning about the situations of people in developing countries while extending loans fostered feelings of personal growth in terms of an appreciation of the hardships faced by people in developing countries, and a newfound desire to be involved in helping others in the future. These results suggest that modularized CLIL EFL instruction utilizing authentic online materials and real-world tasks can offer students rich meaningful educational experiences that transcend the traditional foreign language classroom.

Authors:
Michael Johnson, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Michael Johnson is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at Hamamatsu University School of Medicine in Japan

See this presentation on the full schedule – Tuesday Schedule

Bookmark

---

A Note to Presenters

To enhance academic profiles and showcase research, we encourage all presenters and co-presenters to include links to their public LinkedIn, ResearchGate profile, and research websites. Presenters may update their bio for their presentation by completing the form linked below by October 22, 2024.
- Presenter Information Update Form
Submitted changes will be reflected on November 01, 2024

Additionally, presenters should also update their IAFOR account details if there have been any changes to affiliations or biographies.
- https://submit.iafor.org/my-account/edit-account