Advisor

• Dr. Min Liu

Degree

• Masters

Abstract

The purpose of study is not only to investigate the usability of ESL learning websites, but also to evaluate if the design of the two sites meets adult learners’ needs. There are five participants who participated the test. Before the usability test, each participant was offered pre-test questionnaires to find out how they used the Internet, their learning beliefs and styles on second language learning, and their foreign language learning background. The questionnaires mainly were used to help understand what adult learners need and their learning contexts. The usability test was conducted on two sites, BBC Learning English and English Club. All participants completed four tasks in the test. Each participant was then interviewed and filled out site-feedback questionnaires in the post-task. The results were analyzed from perspectives of information, interaction and interface designs, adult learning theory and second/foreign language learning. Moreover, the core design principles based upon the testing results were obtained as well and appropriately implemented as paradigms for constructs of ESL learning websites. By utilizing the well-designed ESL learning websites, adult learners are expected to be more motivated, and then develop autonomy and awareness for SLL/FLL.