The research described in this section was performed at the distant university of Shanghai Jiao Tong university whose students to a large percentage consist of vocational learners. The research question investigated was how to increase
active participation of the students in oral communication courses for English as a second language. In the traditional Chinese education system, knowledge transmission from the teacher to the learner is valued higher than active participation
of the learner in the classroom. Therefore, even adult learners do not feel comfortable practicing in front of fellow learners. Additionally, being vocational learners, the
students did often not find the time to practice outside the classroom hours.