Investigating the Efficacy of Web 2 Tools on Language Pedagogy in Iran

Using web 2.0 tools in education in general and language learning in particular for creating an active learning environment is getting momentum these days. With all these, however, and despite the wide range of available web 2 tools, these tools have not been used properly to improve language learning and teaching in the Iranian context.  Accordingly, this study investigates the efficacy of web 2 tools for language learning in the western city of Ilam, Iran. To this end, the effect of some web 2 tools, such as blogs, wikis, e-mail service, social networks, podcasts and Podcast’s on four different language- speaking, listening, writing, and reading comprehension was investigated. The study was conducted in a language institute in Ilam on 71 language learners who were assigned to elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels and were divided into experimental and control groups. Learners in the experimental group were taught English with web 2 tools for two months, while the control group was taught through the classical teaching methods currently used in the country. The results showed the effectiveness of applying web 2 tools on intermediate and advanced levels, while the elementary level did not show any significant progress. Regarding the skills, the tools examined were found to have more positive effect on reading, writing, and listening skills.