Manuscript received June 21, 2023; revised July 27, 2023; accepted September 20, 2023.
Abstract—Effective engagement is a crucial aspect of
teaching and learning, particularly in online environments such
as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), where face-to-face
interaction is limited. However, there is minimal research on
how instructors employ language to engage students within
MOOCs. In this regard, the concept of engagement markers
becomes invaluable. These linguistic devices facilitate
interaction between speakers and their online audiences. This
study involves an analysis utilizing a self-built corpus of English
as a Foreign Language (EFL) MOOC lectures offered by
Chinese universities. Hyland’s engagement model identified the
types, frequency, and functions of engagement markers
employed by lecturers to engage learners in EFL MOOC
lectures. In particular, the researchers compared nationally
recognized EFL MOOC lectures with those from ordinary
universities. The research findings indicated diverse
engagement markers in EFL MOOC lectures. Nationally
recognized EFL MOOCs exhibited a more extensive and
frequent utilization of these markers than their counterparts
from ordinary universities. For example, EFL MOOC lectures
from top universities made significantly greater use of personal
pronouns than those from ordinary Chinese universities. These
results hold significant implications for EFL lecturers,
providing valuable insights into effective engagement strategies
for MOOCs. Furthermore, the present study contributes to the
professional development of educators in this dynamic
educational landscape.
Index Terms—Engagement, engagement markers, English as
a Foreign Language (EFL) Massive Open Online Course
(MOOC) lectures, Chinese universities
Guo Xiaohua is with Language Academy, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia,
81310, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Guo Xiaohua is also with Xi’an Fanyi
University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China.
Noor Mala Ibrahim is with Language Academy, Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia, 81310, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
*Correspondence: guoxiaohua@graduate.utm.my (G.X.)
Cite: Guo Xiaohua* and Noor Mala Ibrahim, "Engagement Markers in EFL MOOC Lectures in Chinese Universities," International Journal of Information and Education Technology vol. 13, no. 12, pp. 1850-1857, 2023.
Copyright © 2023 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).