The role of WeQuests in learning a foreign/second language?

   Bernie Dodge has defined webquest as “an inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the Internet, optionally supplemented with videoconferencing." It is clearly structured into 7 components, which include an introduction, tasks, process, resource, evaluative, conclusion and teacher page.

    However, it helps student to discover knowledge and look for information by using computer, so it supports using the Web as a source of real-world information. Moreover, It supports task-based language learning. It’s also important component of contemporary language learning methodology, the use of authentic language materials. In addition, it helps students to assess their performance and measure their improvement of mental skills.

     Most of the teachers use Webquest to be more modern in their teaching style, also to make lessons more enjoyable. Because students now are digital natives, they didn’t enjoy learning in traditional ways of teaching. Teachers want to make their students higher motivated, and using webquest will help them in raising their students’ motivation.

    Using webquest will improve several skills in students. Students will think, try, plan and solve the tasks and activities together, so it makes them more collaborative in class. Also, it improves their problem-solving skill and their ability to imagine. They should use their own creative thinking to find solutions for the problems they may face. They will also learn how to use recourses from their real life instead of using their boring textbook or materials that teacher give them. Students also become more independent.The class environment must be equipped with all the things like computers or laptops, network, wifi, recording devices, projectors…etc

    In my country, I do not think they use this effective way of teaching. They almost depend on all traditional ways of teaching. But In my future, if I become an EFL teacher Insha’Allah, I will definitely use Webquest, because I find it very helpful and useful in teaching and learning process. This is will increase the students’ hunger for knowledge and motivated them in addition they will be more excited in learning.