Emotions in the development of oral skills with digital technologies

Authors

  • Rodrigo Camargo Aragão Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC)
  • Vera Lúcia Menezes de Oliveira e Paiva Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)
  • Ronaldo Corrêa Gomes Junior Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)

Abstract

This paper aims to assess how digital technologies can assist in the development of oral skills in students of English as an additional language by decreasing negative emotions, which tend to interfere with this process. The study was conducted at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais with a group of undergraduate students enrolled in a 60-hour online course on English oral skills development using digital technologies. The qualitative research method included observation of students’ online interactions, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The data were categorized into patterns of appraisal of positive and negative experiences. Results indicated an overall positive appraisal of the activities associated with feelings of confidence and comfort when students spoke English using digital technologies. Other feelings reported by some participants associated the experience with emotions of tranquility and pleasure. By letting these emotions flow, students may take more risks in their language use and increase their willingness to communicate in English.


Keywords: oral skills, English, emotions, digital technologies.

Author Biographies

Rodrigo Camargo Aragão, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC)

Professor de Metodologia do Ensino de Língua Inglesa e Linguística Aplicada no Departamento de Letras e Artes da UESC. Coordena o grupo de pesquisa FORTE.

Vera Lúcia Menezes de Oliveira e Paiva, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)

Atualmente é professora titular da Faculdade de Letras da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais e pesquisadora nível 1 do CNPq. Coordena o Núcleo de Pesquisa Lingtec.

Ronaldo Corrêa Gomes Junior, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)

Professor Adjunto da Faculdade de Letras da UFMG nas áreas de Linguagem e Tecnologia e Ensino de Inglês. Membro do núcleo de pesquisa LingTec e integrante do LALINTEC (Laboratório de Linguagem e Tecnologia).

Published

2017-06-21

How to Cite

Aragão, R. C., Paiva, V. L. M. de O. e, & Gomes Junior, R. C. (2017). Emotions in the development of oral skills with digital technologies. Calidoscópio, 15(3), 557–566. Retrieved from https://www.revistas.unisinos.br/index.php/calidoscopio/article/view/cld.2017.153.14