Flipped Classroom-Based Corpus for EFL Grammar Instruction: Outcomes and Perceptions

Abstract

Although a wide array of studies has sufficiently documented the use of Flipped and Corpus learning methods in ELT context respectively, marrying both in EFL grammar classes remains scanty. To fill this gap, this collaborative action research (CAR) jointly designed and implemented flipped classroom-based corpus instruction involving an English grammar instructor to promote the EFL students’ grammatical knowledge and documented their perceptions on how the learning model promoted their grammatical knowledge and the challenges they encountered at an Indonesian state Islamic University. Pre-, mid- and post-tests measuring the students’ grammatical knowledge were administered, and an open-ended questionnaire and focus group discussion were respectively distributed and conducted to garner the qualitative evidence. The statistical evidence showed that there were statistically and practically significant grammatical knowledge gains at the end of the term. The qualitative evidence suggested that it was due to the adequacy of English input and feedbacks from their peers and the grammar instructor. The students also perceived that low internet bandwidth and a lack of understanding on the use of the Coca database were their primary learning barriers, while the grammar instructor found it more daunting to cater the instruction. This is the first study marrying both the pedagogical methods and provides the empirical evidence of its efficacy and feasibility for EFL grammar instruction. Limitations and recommendations for further studies are discussed.