Abstract:

The use of online course designs has changed the learning environment of second language learning. Recommendation for best practice in online course designs frequently include maximizing students´ perceptions of the value and efficacy of the virtual assessment application. Thus, a group of English language teachers from the Faculty of Arts at the University of the Basque Country that is carrying out a Educational Innovation Project (COBLE Project, Content Based Learning of English), granted by the University of the Basque Country, uses an online assessment platform called Babellium. This virtual application is used in assessing oral competences in English Language students of the first and second courses of the Grade in English Studies. The levels of linguistic competence of these groups of students (250 students approximately) correspond to levels B2 and C! (European Framework of Languages). Students have been surveyed to determine their opinions and perceptions about the techniques used to assess their oral skills and their opinions and perception about the online platform. Results, both quantitative and narrative have indicated that students have found Babellium virtual tool helpful to their learning.

In consequence, our aim is to describe the online tool we are using (Babellium), the questionnaires and surveys we have used to determine students´ perceptions and a quantitative and narrative analysis of the responses related to the application and the techniques used to assess their oral competences. Our research group perceives that our experience has improved the overall results of our students´ marks in English Language. This contribution tries to add knowledge on the use of new technologies in second language learning.

Keywords:

e-learning, second language learning.