Investigating the Use of Pragmatic Devices by EFL Students at Al Balqa Applied University

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether training students al Al Balqa Applied university usage of pragmatic devices will improve their performance in English language. To achieve the purpose of the study, a pre/post-test was constructed to measure students' level in English grammar. The test consisted of twenty items on English language grammar.

The sample of the study consisted of 149 first year students; (73) male students and (76) female students during the second semester of the academic year 2015/2016.

The subjects of the study were distributed into four groups (a female experimental group and control group, and a male experimental group and control group). The experimental groups were trained to use pragmatic devices while the control groups were taught using the traditional methods. The subjects were 38 male students for the experimental group and 35 male students for the control group, while the female students for the experimental and control group were 37 and 39 respectively. Those subjects were distributed into four purposefully selected sections who were studying English language at Al Balqa Applied University.

Descriptive statistical analyses were used (means and standard deviation) for the pre and post- tests of students' English language test to experimental and control groups. Comparison statistical methods were used (Two Way ANOVA) analysis of variance to make a comparison between the control and the experimental groups and gender variable (male and female).

The findings of the study indicated that there were statistically significant differences in the post- test between the control and the experimental groups in favor of the experimental group, and there was no statistically significant difference in the students' performance due to gender. There was no statistically significant difference due to the interaction between gender and group.

The researcher concluded with recommendations to enhance the effect of training students to use pragmatic devices on their performance in English language such as conducting further studies on other populations and for a longer time.

Keywords: Pragmatic devices, Students' Performance