Vol. 4 Issue 14 – Research Paper: ‘Online Forums: Forums for ESL Learner’s Academic Discussion and Collaboration’ by Amlanjyoti Sengupta

The influence of computer technology has permeated into all facets of our lives, including academic settings. In the field of language education, a great deal of emphasis has been paid on online learning. There are of course, sufficient compelling causes for incorporating the online platform for language study. The traditional English classroom provides a forum to the learners where English study is time-bound and where there is hardly any room for classroom discussion and collaborative activity. Online forums have made it possible for language learners to integrate independent language learning experiences with provisions for interaction and collaboration. The paper highlights the pedagogical importance of online forums which can be effectively used to maximize ESL learners’ language performance through academic discussions and collaboration.