To begin my research, I had to define the keywords and search terms which would be utilized. They would also have to be divided into categories. First, it was important to find articles and papers that explore the more general topic of second language acquisition. Second, the search narrowed by including papers which targeted language acquisition among Arabic-speaking students, non-adult learners, and papers which included the use of technology in their literature reviews or studies. As such, the search terms included ‘second language acquisition’, ‘Arabic-speaking’, ‘English acquisition’, ‘children’, ‘technology’, ‘online learning’, as well as other variations of these terms. Some of the terminology overlapped in certain papers, while most of them are specific to each paper.
The following list includes a number of peer-reviewed journals. The journals were from the list provided in the class or from other sources which were respected within the language learning field. From the suggested list, the journals that were selected included Second Language Research, TESOL Quarterly, Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, and Applied Psycholinguistics. Other selected journals included Language Learning & Technology, Language Teaching Research, Focus on ELT Journal, and the International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies. All of the articles have been peer-reviewed and published recently. The databases that were used to find these articles included the Cambridge University Press, the La Trobe University Library, ProQuest, and for papers that are slightly more difficult to locate, the Google Scholar engine was employed.
There is a distinction between the papers as some are literature reviews, either of theoretical investigations or past experiments, while others are studies that have been recently implemented. The literature reviews allow for greater insight into patterns found within language acquisition and past practices that can then be compared with recent developments in language learning. The studies show the direct effect of certain methods or issues that are currently being observed within the field of language learning. Both types of papers are inherently important to further the research on my specific questions regarding language acquisition in Arabic-speaking students.
A specific portion of the papers is primarily concerned with learners that are originally Arabic-speaking. As such, it is essential to understand the primary issues which such students encounter. These can include grammatical errors that are commonly encountered, such as pluralism or pronunciation difficulties. Other issues can include the lack of motivation, practice options, or engaging methods of learning. Essentially, the papers discuss the prevalence of these issues and whether any current methods are able to assist with language acquisition in the case of such issues.
Additionally, the list of articles includes both studies and reviews of subjects that are both adults and children learners. Current academic research in the field of language learning is primarily focused on adult subjects, but studies concerning children also exist. In an age in which technology is widely available, especially for the purpose of studying, it is interesting to observe ways in which younger learners are able to utilize these tools. Additionally, patterns between children learners can indicate ways in which adult-learning issues can be better addressed.
A significant number of the papers also address the implementation of technology, online practice, and studies, as well as their effects on language acquisition. More and more frequently, new tools and software are becoming available in order to perfect language learning. As such, it is essential to understand and analyze the effectiveness of such new technology.
References
Atkinson, D., & Shvidko, E. (2019). Natural Pedagogy in Second Language Learning and Teaching. TESOL Quarterly, 53(4), 1083-1114.
Azaz, M. (2020). Structural surface overlap and derivational complexity in crosslinguistic transfer: Acquisition of English genitive alternation by Egyptian Arabic-speaking learners. Second Language Research, 36(4), 529–556.
Godwin-Jones, R. (2018). Chasing the butterfly effect: Informal language learning online as a complex system. Language Learning & Technology, 22(2), 8-27.
José De la Fuente, M., & Goldenberg, C. (2020). Understanding the role of the first language (L1) in instructed second language acquisition (ISLA): Effects of using a principled approach to L1 in the beginner foreign language classroom. Language Teaching Research.
Kazu, I. Y., & Issaku, Y. (2021) The opinion of ELT students on technology-based classroom approach. Focus on ELT Journal, 3(1), 33–42.
McEnery, T., Brezina, V., Gablasova, D., & Banerjee, J. (2019). Corpus Linguistics, Learner Corpora, and SLA: Employing Technology to Analyze Language Use. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 39, 74-92.
Oliver, R., & Azkarai, A. (2017). Review of Child Second Language Acquisition (SLA): Examining Theories and Research. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 37, 62-76.
Paradis, J., Rusk, B., Sorenson Duncan, T., & Govindarajan, K. (2017). Children’s Second Language Acquisition of English Complex Syntax: The Role of Age, Input, and Cognitive Factors. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 37, 148-167.
Safaa, M. A., & Maram, H. H. (2018). The Acquisition of the English Plural Morphemes by Arabic-Speaking EFL Learners. International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies, 6(2), 34–39.
Williams, S. A., & Korko, M. (2019). Pause behavior within reformulations and the proficiency level of second language learners of English. Applied Psycholinguistics, 40(3), 723-742.
Wilson, R., Dewaele, J., Schmid, M. S., & Dusseldorp, E. (2010). The use of web questionnaires in second language acquisition and bilingualism research. Second Language Research, 26(1), 103–123.