A Comparison of modular approacc and traditional approach on students achievement in foreign language teaching

II ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to compare the efficiency of modular approach and traditional instruction on student achievement in foreign language learning. The first year students who followed English lesson at the Faculty of Technical Education, Fırat University, during 1997-1998 Spring term participated the research. The pre-test and post-test control group research design was used in the study. The study included two groups, each consisted of 36 students. One was experimental group, the other was control group. While modular approach was tried out in experimental group, traditional instruction was used in control group. Two modules were developed and used for the experimental group. The modules consisted of two tenses, one was 'Simple Present Tense', and the other was 'Simple Past Tense'.. While traditional teaching materials were being used in control group, the experimental group studied 'Learning Packages' at 'The Learning Resources Center' beside the modules. The data were obtained from the pre-test and post-test and the results of the tests from the two groups were, then, compared. The results from the research indicate that:. Both of the methods used in control and experimental groups were efficient in gaining the objectives at the level of knowledge, comprehension, and application in cognitive field.. The students in experimental group were found more successful in learning English words than those in control group.. Experimental students were more successful in gaining the objectives of knowledge level of cognitive field than the controlled students.Ill. There were significant differences between the scores of experimental and control groups taken from the level of comprehension in cognitive field.. The modular instruction was found more efficient and effective method for learning the objectives aimed at the level of application in cognitive field.. An analysis of the student scores showed that the modular instruction used in experimental group was more effective in gaining the objectives from the whole test than the traditional instruction used in control group. Findings from the research reveal that modular instruction was more efficient and effective in foreign language teaching than the traditional instruction. From that point of view following recommendations are made:. Modular approach should be introduced to the administrators and teachers and should be used in schools.. Modular materials should be prepared according to the principles of modular instruction.. The classroom should not be the only main place for the students. There should be other learning facilities such as learning resources center and modular materials should be placed those places for the students to study.. Students should be placed the classrooms according to their level of English so that each student should study his/her own module suitable for his/her level and needs.