This research project presented a practical evidence-based investigation into whether a telecollaboration exchange or tandem exchange incorporating the use of Web 2.0 tools can be used to enhance the linguistic skills of adults learning English as a second language in the Middle East. It explored the possibilities of integrating the exchange in the form of Web 2.0 tools, as partly online and face-to-face instruction, in a post-compulsory adult learning environment. The project sought to

more »

... te the usefulness of a blended course for Arabic speakers learning English at a higher education institute six hours per day. The research identified the difficulty in the learners' ability to acquire the second language, which, in this case, is English, in the educational system of a particular curriculum. It offered a way to improve the learners' linguistic skills by improving the methodology and subject matter of the curriculum through a telecollaoration exchange, in order to provide bespoke tuition for the learners. By the end of a stipulated period of instruction, the learners had upgraded their competencies to participate in examination preparation and achieve an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) qualification with a band 5.0 score. This study adopted the active or practical participatory method in the form of an experiment or pilot study that aims to discover whether embedding online learning through the telecollaboration exchange could benefit second language learners. The project explored the possibilities of implementing the tandem exchange into the pedagogical approach and the affordances of such a technique to motivate learners in developing their overall linguistic competencies through a variety of theme-based literacy practices. The research methods used are quantitative with tables and learners' comments.