Integrating Internet-based applications in English language teaching: Teacher practices in a Thai university

Mark B. Ulla, William F. Perales
Walailak University, Thailand
Veronico N. Tarrayo
University of Santo Tomas, Philippines

This study was conducted to identify various Internet-based applications integrated in an English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom. It explored how seven English language teachers utilised different applications in their English language teaching (ELT) in a university in Thailand. The methods used were classroom observations and follow-up individual interviews. Findings revealed that Kahoot, Socrative, Google Form, QR code, Facebook, YouTube, Quizizz and Quizlet were among the Internet-based applications the teachers used in their classroom teaching. Moreover, the teachers responded positively to changes in the ELT landscape as they integrated these different applications in their classrooms. They seemed to be confident about the advantages these applications can bring into their teaching practices. Furthermore, their common responses as regards their reason for utilising Internet-based applications point to one evident perspective: Internet-based applications make their ELT classroom more convenient, exciting, and fluid. Implications for ELT are discussed in light of the findings, and recommendations for future research are offered.
[ PDF full text for this article ]

Authors: Mark B. Ulla teaches English at Walailak University, Thailand. He completed his Master of Arts in English language teaching at Mindanao State University, Marawi City, Philippines, where he also obtained his Bachelor of Arts in English. His research interests are in teacher education, EFL teaching, language education and studies, and teacher training. He has been presenting papers both in local and international conferences. His latest research work is one of the recipients for the CamTESOL Regional ELT Research Grant 2018. He is currently pursuing his doctorate degree at the University of the Philippines. Email: mark.ulla1985@gmail.com William F. Perales graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Mindanao State University, General Santos City, Philippines. He is currently finishing his Master of Arts in English language teaching while teaching at the Language Institute of Walailak University, Thailand. His research interests are on language education, teacher education, technology in the classroom, and language teaching. Email: liamperales16@gmail.com Veronico N. Tarrayo is an Assistant Professor of the Department of English, Faculty of Arts and Letters of the University of Santo Tomas, the Philippines. He obtained his PhD in English Language Studies degree (as cum laude) from the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School. He obtained both his Master of Arts in Language Teaching degree and Bachelor of Arts in English degree (as magna cum laude) from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines. Email: vntarrayo@ust.edu.ph Please cite as: Ulla, M. B., Perales, W. F. & Tarrayo, V. N. (2020). Integrating Internet-based applications in English language teaching: Teacher practices in a Thai university. Issues in Educational Research, 30(1), 365-378. http://www.iier.org.au/iier30/ulla.pdf