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Wikipedia as an authentic, collaborative resource for second-language vocabulary learning

Design · All designs
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 causal), q3 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description

The article positions Wikipedia as a free, web-based, collaborative, multilingual encyclopedia whose texts and tasks supply the authenticity language education requires. It argues Wikipedia texts offer "authentic reading practice, as a receptive skill to gain vocabulary", provide linguistic or situational contexts in which learners meet words on several occasions, and support social constructivist learning through collaborative reading, correcting, editing, and updating of entries. The study tests this positioning empirically with Iranian EFL learners.

Design Implications

Context

Requirements

  • Learners need internet-connected computers or, at minimum, printed Wikipedia material
  • Most suitable for intermediate to advanced students; beginners with limited language skills can still use it collaboratively

Constraints

  • Efficiency depends on course design, learners' motivation, autonomy, and interest
  • Equipment unavailability: few language institutes are equipped with internet-connected computers

Target Learners

  • intermediate to advanced EFL/ESL learners

Learning Goals

  • L2 vocabulary knowledge
  • reading comprehension
  • collaborative reading and writing skills

Claims

Examples

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Key Sources

  • Khany, R., & Khosravian, F. (2014). Iranian EFL learners' vocabulary development through Wikipedia. English Language Teaching, 7(7). doi:10.5539/elt.v7n7p57
Page metadata
Field Value
type design
id wikipedia-authentic-vocabulary-resource
title Wikipedia as an authentic, collaborative resource for second-language vocabulary learning
description The article positions Wikipedia as a free, web-based, collaborative, multilingual encyclopedia whose texts and tasks supply the authenticity language education requires.
status review
generated by process:settle-candidates on 2026-11-02
trust unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources 1 — khany-khosravian-2014

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