Santi Setiyaningsih

Tati D. Wardi, Ph.D.

Advanced English Language Study
9 November 2016

Students View on Learning Grammar with Web- and Book-Based Material

In the journal article Student views on learning grammar with web- and book-based
materials, authors Huw Jarvis and Marta Szymczyk present a study that concern to the teaching
and learning grammar to learner autonomy and its development especially in the using of website
and book-based material. The discussion on the efficacy of using websites and paper-based
material has appeared, both advantages and disadvantages. Computer has important role for
independent learner in the way they get the material instantly. Thus, the development of
technology allows students to drill their grammar by computer as their primary resources
because it provides materials in anytime, anywhere with no cost. Jarvis and Szymczyk (2010)
conduct a study in order to explore students attitude in learning grammar outside the classroom,
to know students preferences and to explore the motivational impact of website and paper based
self-study resource books for learning grammar outside the classroom.
According to Jarvis and Szymcyk (2010), the data was gained by using quantitative and
qualitative technique. In quantitative data collecting, the authors used questionnaire and test.
Then, for qualitative data collecting, the authors used interview. The data gathered in the study
suggested that there were three phases in the procedure of collecting the data. First, the authors
obtained the data through the questionnaire in order to know students activities and willingness
in practicing grammar independently. In the second phase, the authors instructed the participants

to practice their grammar using free website and self-study book continued by completing
questionnaire. The resource materials were taken from two representative grammar practice
websites and two self-study resource books. In the final phase the authors used semi structured
interviews that interviewed four selected participants. After recording the interview, the author
transcribed it.
Jarvis and Szymcyk (2010) said that in this study, there were 38 participants had been
selected from non-native speakers of English at British University that had registered on a presessional EAP (English for Academic Purpose). The English level of the participants were
measured by placement test. Therefore, in the second phase, the authors selected 13 participants
who had a willingness and were available in a time to have website grammar practice. In the
final phase, four participants were chosen to have the interview.
Based on the result of the study, the participants thought that learning grammar was
necessary. Furthermore, thirty of them said that they practiced their grammar independently. This
result provided confirmatory evidence that students do independent learning outside the
classroom for learning grammar as an important aspect. In the term of their preferences using
website or paper-based material, the authors put forward the view that the students preferred to
use self-study resource book on learning grammar. According to the data that presented in the
chart, Jarvis and Szymczyk (2010) stated that in comparison with website, the self-study books
were viewed more positively (p. 37). Thus, based on the interview result, the authors found
tendency of the participants to use self-study books even though it seemed systematic and
sometimes bored because the books are always available in anytime. On the basis of the evidence
currently available, it seems fair to suggest that students are still prefer to use paper-based
material for learning grammar independently rather than website based material. However,

participants response to website-based material was not completely negative but seemed to have
more disadvantages.
Above all, the writer found the article quite interesting. The authors presented arguments
of the study in chronological order. Research on the students view on learning grammar with
website and paper based material does not support the view that computer-assited language
learning (CALL) is an ideal primary material based on the students need. Yet not everyone
agrees that computer provides all materials that is needed. Computer has a role for independent
learning, but it cannot replace the role of paper-based resources book. To conclude, this study has
a great importance to the English teachers especially when they want to teach grammar. The
teachers should suggest the students to do independent learning cosistently in order to develop
their grammar comprehension. Then, the teachers should consider comprehensively to use
website-based or book-based as their primary resources based on students need. It also better to
suggest them to choose appropriate resources whether in websites or in self-study books so that
the students can easily find the resources.

Reference:
Jarvis, H and Szymczyk, M. (2010). Students View on Learning Grammar with Web- and BookBased Material. ELT Journal Volume 64/1 January 2010, 1-14.