Role of Environment in Learning

Introduction

This study examines the role of environment in the development of pragmatic comprehension. It tracks two groups of Japanese students of English: 60 students in a college in Japan (English as foreign language [EFL] learners) and 57 students in a college in the United States (English as second language [ESL] learners). This paper discusses the role of environment play in learning.

Positive effects of environment on Learning

The learners completed a computerized listening task that measured their ability to comprehend two types of implied meaning: indirect refusals (k = 24) and indirect opinions (k = 24). The task was given to each group twice, before and after the students received approximately 120-130 hr of classroom instruction. Comprehension was analyzed for accuracy (scores) and speed (average time taken to answer each item correctly). (Benek, 104)

Results showed that, in learner groups, accuracy and comprehension speed improved significantly over time. For the EFL group, the magnitude of effect was much less for speed than for accuracy (Berger, 191). In contrast, ESL learners showed significant improvement in comprehension speed, with a sizable effect size, but only marginal improvement in accuracy.

Learning is most effective when it is embedded in meaningful activities, when students are able to recognize the larger context of the topic they are studying, rather than doing something because it is "make work." When students feel that their efforts will make a real contribution or are truly valuable, learning becomes meaningful. Complex learning is enhanced by appropriate challenge.

We have now come to understand that much learning goes on unconsciously, and for this reason, perceptions may be more important to learning than reason. What we communicate to students non-verbally through gestures, tone of voice, eye contact and other indicators, is more powerful than what we express verbally. Students will always put more faith in their perceptions of a teacher and her behavior than what the teacher might say verbally.

Negative effects of environment on Learning

This paper examines the positive and negative effects of online learning in creating an effective virtual learning community, based on communication, cooperation and equality. On the basis of a project called "online support for language and cultural studies for refugees and foreigners in the Czech Republic", tested in a pilot run in the fourth quarter of 2003, the author suggests some observations relating to her personal experience with building a virtual learning and social community in refugee (foreigner) education. Finally, ...