Efficiency of Using Technological Media in Developing the English Language Students’ Grammatical Competence at Shendi University

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the efficiency of using computer assisted grammar teaching on the performance of Sudanese students in Shendi University who study English as a foreign language. The researcher has adopted the experimental method. Two experiments were conducted among the university students of the faculty of Arts and the students of the faculty of Medicines. The sample of the study consisted of (200) students distributed on experimental group and control groups. To find out the impact of a software program on students performance in grammar, the researcher designed achievement test and use it as a pre-test for the experimental and the control groups. The results showed statistically significant differences in the average scores in favor of students of Arts stream. Hence, the researcher taught the experimental group for medical students using computers and the Internet, while the traditional method used on the students of Arts "control group." After that the researcher designed the achievement test for the both groups as a post-test. There were statistically significant differences (α < 0.05) between the students' achievement mean scores in grammar attributed to the instructional method of teaching. This difference is in favor of the students in the experimental group. An Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to find out the effect of the instructional program on the pupils’ achievement in the past tenses and the passive voice. The findings of the study reveal that: 1- There were statistically significant differences between the students' achievement mean scores in grammar attributed to the instructional method of teaching. This difference is in favor of the students in the experimental group. 2- There were statistically significant differences between the students' achievement mean scores in grammar attributed to stream of study. This difference is in favor of the Arts stream students. In light of the findings of the study, it was recommended that English language teachers use computer assisted instruction in their teaching.