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Citation

Viana V & Zyngier S (2008) EFL through the digital glass of corpus linguistics. In: Marriott R & Torres P (eds.) Handbook of research on e-learning methodologies for language acquisition. Hershey: Information Science Reference, pp. 219-236. http://www.igi-global.com/book/handbook-research-learning-methodologies-language/462; https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-59904-994-6.ch014

Abstract
Like the advent of the telescope, computers today can provide ways of looking into language patterns that cannot be seen with the naked eye. From this perspective, this chapter argues for the centrality of corpus use in English as a foreign language (EFL) classrooms. It shows how the computer can offer new ways of looking at language and of relying on real data to see how language is used. A historical background is provided so as to enable an approach to corpus linguistics, one which moves away from reliance on intuitions and abstract examples. Having made the claim for the strengths of corpus linguistics as a way to develop students’ autonomy in language learning, an online corpus and some concordancers are provided, and examples are offered of how they could work in a classroom. The chapter ends with research and educational prospects in the area.

Keywords
English as a Foreign Language (EFL); Corpus Linguistics; English language learning; language in use; autonomy; empirical research