Web 2.0 e inglês como língua estrangeira: atitudes de professores e alunos adultos

Abstract

This study aims to compile and analyse the perceptions of the use of web 2.0 tools in English Language Teaching and associate the analysis of attitude to the Andragogy theory, which deals with how adults learn, advanced by Knowles (1973, 1975, 1984, 1990). This topic does not appear to have a coordination of studies, since Thomas (2010) has only recently edited a handbook with works involving the possible applications of web 2.0 resources in the process of foreign language acquisition and students perceptions, although other works, as those by Rosell-Aguilar (2004), Conole (2008), Kárpáti (2009) and Jarvis & Szymczyk (2010) have discussed the topic isolatedly. This work compiles the opinions of adult learners and teachers of English as a foreign language. Data was collected through closed questionnaires. This approach may provide this research with novelty, at least with as regards the collection of Brazilian adult learners and teachers attitudes towards using web 2.0 in foreign language acquisition in a language school. Data analysis showed adult learners and teachers have positive attitude and are ready to use web 2.0 resources in the language classroom. Nonetheless, albeit most of the participants of this research agree the use of such tools contribute to teaching English as a foreign language, some adjustments and procedures should be implemented so that web 2.0 tools do not become mere accessories, but rather an integral part of the of the language acquisition process