Top Notch with MyEnglishLab (MEL) efficacy report

For an overview of Top Notch with MyEnglishLab and more information:

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Learn more about the research behind the findings

Does Top Notch with MyEnglishLab (MEL) improve students’ learning experience?
A study exploring use of Top Notch with MEL

As use of digital resources in English language learning is relatively new, we wanted to learn more about student experiences of learning English using Top Notch with MEL — a digital supplementary resource designed to consolidate learning by providing opportunities for practice-based learning and feedback. Between February 2016 and February 2017, we studied how eight institutions across three countries (two in Peru, three in Colombia, and three in Mexico) used Top Notch with MEL.

Top Notch, used in conjunction with MEL, is designed to be easy to access and provide an enjoyable learning experience. The exercises are designed to support student achievement and progression by consolidating learning and the authentic materials aim to promote student engagement. So, we expected students would report that learning using Top Notch with MEL has improved their English language skills and increased their motivation, and that they find it is easy to access and enjoyable to use.

We chose to only study institutions that had been using the latest edition of Top Notch with MEL. The studies collected and analyzed a broad range of evidence types, including:

  • instructor surveys and interviews
  • student surveys
  • MEL performance data
  • student focus groups
  • classroom observations

The full results of analyzing all data sources are detailed in the technical report. However, the efficacy statements generated from these studies are based exclusively on student survey data. The reason for this is that our current framework for auditing efficacy statements does not easily accommodate qualitative results or findings from both qualitative and quantitative evidence. In future research, we will expand the definition of descriptive statements to encompass statements based on both evidence sources.

Students report that they have made significant progress in vocabulary and grammar and that they find their confidence in English speaking and listening has increased since using Top Notch with MEL. Students surveyed also report that they find it easy to access Top Notch services like MyEnglishLab and the Go app from their personal devices.

For more details about the research studies and to find further examples of the survey data that supports our efficacy statements:

Read our Top Notch with MEL research report

In the context of the research undertaken for this study, conducted in these institutions with these students, Pearson is able to make the following descriptive statements about the efficacy of Top Notch with MEL (with illustrative examples of specific results from across the range of countries covered):

Learner access and experience

Students report that Top Notch with MEL is accessible and easy to navigate. 91% (1,474 / 1,623) of students in Colombia find it easy to access MyEnglishLab from their computer and 71% (1118 / 1570) of students in Colombia find it easy to access MyEnglishLab from their smartphone.

Positive learning behaviors

Students report that Top Notch with MEL helps increase their confidence, motivation, and enjoyment in learning English. 96% of students (269 / 279) in Peru report that their confidence in learning English has increased since using Top Notch with MEL.

Timeliness of completion (engagement)

Students report that Top Notch with MEL is engaging. 95% (263 / 277) of students in Peru find that Top Notch with MEL significantly helps them engage with learning English.

Standard of achievement or level of competence

The majority of students report that Top Notch with MEL supports their achievement and progression. 84% (482 / 573) of students in Mexico find that Top Notch with MEL significantly helps them prepare for the next level of their English studies.

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