International Journal of Language and Linguistics

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Application of Self-Constructed Corpus in the English Writing Course

Received: Mar. 01, 2020    Accepted: Mar. 23, 2020    Published: Apr. 14, 2020
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Abstract

The corpus constituents are actually the miniature of language. As the computer technology continuously progresses, corpus-based research proves increasingly applicable to language teaching and learning. As a free corpus analysis software program designed specifically for use in the language classrooms, AntConc provides the users with a powerful toolkit with various features to analyze the loaded written texts. Basic functions like the concordance tool and cluster sections of Antconc demonstrate the possibility to assess the performance of students' language proficiency. Considering the fact that IELTS is widely recognized as a standardized test and a big number of Chinese students are preparing for it in order to study abrord, the present study managed to built a self-constructed corpus of students essays in the English writing course. By means of the sophisticated coding and tagging systems, we obtained a set of standard text materials attached with the label of part of speech. Based upon the data analysis of the students’ IELTS writing samples against the modal essay corpus, we conducted the corresponding evaluation of students' lexical resource and offer further suggestions and tailor-made solutions in order to help students improve their writing ability. Under the help of the model essay corpus, students might obtain useful instructions, increase grammar diversity and accuracy, thereby become more competent writers. Our study added more evidence to the conclusion that corpus has a great potential to fundamentally change the ways we approach language education. Apparently, teachers working with highly proficient students from diverse backgrounds need to be informed about the latest corpus tools for a more fine-tuned or specifically tailored application in their writing course.

DOI 10.11648/j.ijll.20200802.13
Published in International Journal of Language and Linguistics ( Volume 8, Issue 2, March 2020 )
Page(s) 75-81
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Self-Constructed Corpus, English Writing, Lexical Resource

References
[1] Alderson, J. (2009). Language Test Construction and Evaluation. Cambridge: CUP.
[2] Biber, D., (2009). A corpus-driven approach to formulaic language in English: Multi-word patterns in speech and writing. International Journal of Corpus Linguistics, 14 (3): 275-311.
[3] Conrad, S., (2000). Will corpus linguistics revolutionize grammar teaching in the 21st century? TESOL Quarterly, 34, pp. 548-560.
[4] Römer, U., (2011). Corpus research applications in second language teaching, Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 31: 205-225.
[5] Friginal, E., (2018). Corpus Linguistics for English Teachers: New Tools, Online Resources, and Classroom Activities. New York: Routledge.
[6] Jiang, T., et al. (2019). Interlanguage: a perspective of quantative linguistic typology. Language Sciences 74: 85-97.
[7] Chen, H., & Xu H., (2019). Quantitative Linguistics approach to interlanguage development: a study based on the Guangwai-Lancaster Chinese learner corpus. Lingua, 230: 1-15.
[8] O’Keeffe, A., & Geraldine, M., (2017). The English Grammar Profile of learner competence: Methodology and key findings, International Journal of Corpus Linguistics, 22 (4): 457-489.
[9] McEnery, T., & Xiao, R., (2010). What corpora can offer in language teaching and learning. In E. Hinkel (Ed.), Handbook of research in second language teaching and learning (pp. 364-380), New York: Routledge.
[10] Lonfils, C. & Vanparys, J. (2001). How to design user-friendly CALL interfaces. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 14 (5), 405-417.
[11] Noguchi, J. (2004). A genre analysis and mini-corpora approach to support professional writing by nonnative English speakers. English Corpus Studies, 11, 101-110.
[12] Liang M, et al. (2005). An Introductory Course of Corpus Application. Beijing: Foreign language teaching and research press.
[13] Dong. N., (2011). The Application of English-Chinese Parallel Corpus in Translation Teaching, Shandong Normal University.
[14] Cambridge ESOL., (2005). Cambridge IELTS 4 Student's Book with Answers: Examination papers from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Cambridge: CUP.
[15] Cambridge ESOL., (2007). Cambridge IELTS 6 Student's Book with Answers: Examination papers from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Cambridge: CUP.
[16] Cambridge ESOL., (2014). The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS Student's Book with Answers with DVD-ROM. Cambridge: CUP.
[17] He A., (2013). The Phrase Concept of Corpus and Its Teaching Processing. Guangzhou:Guangdong Higher Education Press.
[18] Cai. J., (2005). Lecxical Choice and The Effect. Beijing: Foreign language teaching and research press.
[19] Nesselhauf, N. & Tschichold, C. (2002) Collocations in CALL: An investigation of vocabulary-building software for EFL. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 15 (3), 251-279.
[20] Bowker, L. & Pearson, J. (2002). Working with Specialized Language: A Practical Guide to Using Corpora. London/New York: Routledge.
[21] V. Brezina, et al., (2015), Collocations in context: A new perspective on collocation networks, International Journal of Corpus Linguistics, 20 (2): 139-173.
[22] M. Barlow, (2016), Linking corpus data and discourse structure, International Journal of Corpus Linguistics, 21 (1): 105-115.
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    Wang Heyu. (2020). Application of Self-Constructed Corpus in the English Writing Course. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 8(2), 75-81. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20200802.13

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    Wang Heyu. Application of Self-Constructed Corpus in the English Writing Course. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2020, 8(2), 75-81. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20200802.13

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    AMA Style

    Wang Heyu. Application of Self-Constructed Corpus in the English Writing Course. Int J Lang Linguist. 2020;8(2):75-81. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20200802.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijll.20200802.13,
      author = {Wang Heyu},
      title = {Application of Self-Constructed Corpus in the English Writing Course},
      journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
      volume = {8},
      number = {2},
      pages = {75-81},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20200802.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20200802.13},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20200802.13},
      abstract = {The corpus constituents are actually the miniature of language. As the computer technology continuously progresses, corpus-based research proves increasingly applicable to language teaching and learning. As a free corpus analysis software program designed specifically for use in the language classrooms, AntConc provides the users with a powerful toolkit with various features to analyze the loaded written texts. Basic functions like the concordance tool and cluster sections of Antconc demonstrate the possibility to assess the performance of students' language proficiency. Considering the fact that IELTS is widely recognized as a standardized test and a big number of Chinese students are preparing for it in order to study abrord, the present study managed to built a self-constructed corpus of students essays in the English writing course. By means of the sophisticated coding and tagging systems, we obtained a set of standard text materials attached with the label of part of speech. Based upon the data analysis of the students’ IELTS writing samples against the modal essay corpus, we conducted the corresponding evaluation of students' lexical resource and offer further suggestions and tailor-made solutions in order to help students improve their writing ability. Under the help of the model essay corpus, students might obtain useful instructions, increase grammar diversity and accuracy, thereby become more competent writers. Our study added more evidence to the conclusion that corpus has a great potential to fundamentally change the ways we approach language education. Apparently, teachers working with highly proficient students from diverse backgrounds need to be informed about the latest corpus tools for a more fine-tuned or specifically tailored application in their writing course.},
     year = {2020}
    }
    

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Author Information
  • English Department, School of Foreign Languages, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China

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