Exploring the Data-Driven Approach to Grammar Instruction in the ELT Context of Turkey

Abstract

This study aims at a rediscovery of the extent to which a Data Driven Learning (DDL)-based intervention could become instrumental in facilitating grammar instruction with a specific focus on English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and learner autonomy in a preparatory program comprised mostly of Turkish-L1 learners. It provides a context-restricted longitudinal depiction of the effectiveness of a DDL-based grammar instruction endorsed by teacher mentorship across groups asynchronously, thus re-testing the limits of DDL-oriented corpus pedagogy in contexts where a control group is not avail-able. To this end, a corpus was compiled out of the existing reading and listening materials in use ad hoc as the Alternative Corpus of Academic Texts (ACAT), and a total of 19 grammar lessons covering topics in the curriculum of the second level of the grammar course were developed using the ACAT. Blind pre-and post-test procedures were administered with all four experimental groups independent of each other to gradually build up an understanding of the governing pattern of learner achievement through DDL and corpus-based teacher-prepared materials. The analysis demonstrated a rise in student achievement across all groups despite the lack of a teacher disseminating knowledge to students DDL-enhanced through teaching. With the design being unorthodox, this study shows that with the triple powers of DDL, self-discovery and occasional teacher supervision a sense of autonomy could be fostered through corpus-based teaching materials. They could also help learners survive autonomously no matter how hectic the curriculum run at an institution is. Further research is needed to deepen this insight so that this sort of DDL practice could be implemented at an institutional level. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.