In her doctoral thesis Elizabeth E. Alssen, Lic Ed, investigates university students’ perceptions of learning English for Specific Purposes (ESP).

The study reports on four design courses taught at the Language Centres of two Finnish Universities: Joensuu and Kuopio in 2001–2004. Instead of teacher-centred methods, the courses used a student-centred method whereby small groups of students designed ICT-enhanced instructional materials for learning ESP. The materials were published on the Internet where they were available for all students.

“The students reported improved skills especially in speaking, reading and writing, as well as in domain-specific vocabulary. However, students thought that learning required a relatively long time, particularly if the ICT skills were not adequate and needed improvement”, Alssen notes.

Many teachers are grappling with the question of how to improve learning and teaching methods in ways supporting varied learning styles of students, how to optimize learning outcomes, and help students expand their current knowledge. According to Alssen, one solution can be found in engaging students more in the learning process. The learning method investigated in the research enables students to use their know-how gained in previous studies or working life and combine it with language learning.

“During design courses language learning motivation was reported as increasing, especially by students of education. Improvement was also noted in time management, planning and work organization. Students felt proud of the instructional materials they designed and produced”, Alssen says. She further recommends adaptation of the method of ICT-enhanced design of instructional materials to all levels of foreign language learning, from basic education to tertiary level.

A total of 53 computer science and education students from the universities of Joensuu and Kuopio took part in the design courses in 2001–2004. The students had completed standard 10-year English courses in Finnish primary and secondary schools. Teaching and learning methods used during design courses were to activate students and provide real and meaningful reasons to use a foreign language. The general learning goals sought to improve students’ reading, speaking, writing, listening and vocabulary skills in English, as well as to enhance their ICT-skills and autonomous learning skills.

The research data were gathered through students’ reflective journals, questionnaires and group interviews. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The researcher was the language teacher on the courses and therefore the research falls into the research category known as teacher as researcher approach.

Information on the public examination of the doctoral thesis:
Elizabeth E. Alssen’s doctoral thesis Student Perceptions of Learning English for Specific Purposes Through ICT-Enhanced Peer Design of Instructional Materials will be publically examined at the Faculty of Education, University of Lapland, on Thursday 21 June 2012 at noon in Lecture Hall 10 (street address: Yliopistonkatu 8, Rovaniemi). The opponent is Emeritus Professor Sauli Takala from the University of Jyväskylä and the chair of examination is Professor Kaarina Määttä from the University of Lapland. Welcome!

Information on the doctoral candidate:
Elizabeth E. Alssen (born in 1957 in Stettin, Poland) studied applied linguistics at Birkbeck College (University of London, United Kingdom). She earned a Master’s Degree in English philology from the University of Poznan, Poland, in 1981, and a Licentiate in Education Degree from the University of Joensuu in 2003.

Alssen worked as a teacher and lecturer of English at the University of Kuopio in 1990–2002 and at the University of Joensuu in 2000–2001 and 2004. Since 2002 she has worked as a lecturer and senior lecturer in English didactics at the Faculty of Education, University of Lapland.

Alssen’s research interests include designing, production and evaluation of ICT-enhanced instructional materials for teaching and learning English as a foreign language, empowering students and helping them become independent learners, efficiency in language learning, content- and task-based learning, teaching content through English, learning through teaching, and autonomous learning.

Further information:
Elizabeth E. Alssen, tel. +358 40 484 4100, elizabeth.alssen (at) ulapland.fi
Press copies of the thesis and a photograph of the candidate are available at the University of Lapland, Communications and External Relations: tiedotus(at)ulapland.fi or tel. +358 40 571 1960

Publication information and sales:
Elizabeth E. Alssen: Student Perceptions of Learning English for Specific Purposes Through ICT-Enhanced Peer Design of Instructional Materials. Acta Universitatis Lapponiensis 232. University of Lapland: Rovaniemi 2012. ISBN 978-952-484-550-2. ISSN 0788-7604.

Orders can be placed at:
Academic and Art Bookshop Tila (University of Lapland, Main Library, address: Yliopistonkatu 8, Rovaniemi), tel. +358 40 821 4242, publications(at)ulapland.fi, order online at www.ulapland.fi/lup