STARTBODY

Teach English in Taohe Zhen - Ankang Shi

Do you want to be TEFL or TESOL-certified and teach in Taohe Zhen? Are you interested in teaching English in Ankang Shi? Check out ITTT’s online and in-class courses, Become certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language and start teaching English ONLINE or abroad! ITTT offers a wide variety of Online TEFL Courses and a great number of opportunities for English Teachers and for Teachers of English as a Second Language.

Abstract The following article presents the concept of Computer Aided Language Learning, its definition, and possible benefits and disadvantages of its use in the classroom. The information gathered in the article could be used for the further research on the topic, or the final decision about the use of this approach in one’s teaching process. Introduction With the rapid development of technology and higher standards of the teaching environment the language learning meets new challenges and improvements. One of the methods that is appreciated by both teachers and students is the CALL (Computer Aided Language Learning). The popularity of this teaching approach is supported by many teachers and students, making the studying experience an exciting journey that is pleasant, convenient and efficient. However, the use of following learning may cause various effects on the participants of the process that will also be discussed in this article. Definition of CALL The expression of Computer Aided Language Learning was first formed in 1983 by the members of TESOL convention, referred to as the area of technology and second language teaching and learning (Chapelle, 2001). Later, the definition of CALL appeared, presenting the process as the selection and further use of computer applications for language learning (Levy, 1997). With the expansion of the opportunities of computers, the concept started to include any processes that involve the use of computers as a learning tool (Beatty, 2003). CALL Programs and Activities The CALL methodology includes the extensive number of materials, such as software (applications and CD-Roms), online learning programs (magazine sites, online dictionaries and encyclopedias) and computer-mediated communication programs (online chats and discussion boards). The activities that may be performed with the CALL are: multiple-choice and true/false quizzes, gap filling, matching, re-ordering or sequencing, crossword puzzles, games, simulations, writing and word-processing, searching, web publishing and online communication (synchronous and asynchronous). Frequently the work with CALL requires previous experience of the teacher with online materials to guarantee the efficient use of the technologies. Benefits and restrictions of CALL CALL as a teaching aid has numerous advantages for tutors and students. Firstly, computer learning provides immediate feedback at testing, so the tracking of the progress could be done immediately. Secondly, the interactive authentic materials ensure enhanced performance of the students and higher achievements. Thirdly, computers become a strong motivation tool, because the following equipment is mostly associated with the entertaining, even in case of complicated testing and drilling. Nevertheless, there are disadvantages of the constant use of the computer learning. The frequent and prolonged activities on the computer may cause the decrease of vision with younger students. Also, the students may access the unwanted material or sites during the lesson if not supervised by the teacher. Another issue is the need of the actual equipment for the class and the high speed of the internet connection that may be costly investment for educational institutions. Conclusion CALL, being transformed with the development of the information technologies, is expanding into the daily teaching environment, providing the variety of the activities with the immediate feedback and authentic interactive materials. At the same time, computer-based teaching and learning should be recognized as a teaching aid only, not a replacement of the actual communication with the teacher at schools. References Bax, S. (2003). CALL – past, present and future. System, 31, 13-28. Beatty, K. (2003). Teaching and researching computer-assisted language learning. New York: Longman. Chapelle, C. A. (2001). Computer applications in second language acquisition. New York: Cambridge. Kern, R., & Warschauer, M. (2000). Theory and practice of network-based language teaching. In M. Warschauer & R. Kern (Eds.), Network-based language teaching: Concepts and practice (pp. 1-19). New York: Cambridge University Press. Kern, R., Ware, P., & Warschauer. M. (2004). Crossing frontiers: New directions in online pedagogy and research. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 24, 243-260. Levy, M. (1997) CALL: Context and conceptualization. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Meskill, C. (2002). Teaching and learning in real time: Media, technologies, and language acquisition. Houston, TX: Athelstan. Warschauer, M. (1996). Computer-assisted language learning: An introduction. In S. Fotos (Ed.), Multimedia language teaching (pp. 3-20). Tokyo: Logos International. Available: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/warschauer.htm Warschauer, M., & Healey, D. (1998). Computers and language learning: An overview. Language Teaching, 31, 57-71. Available: http://www.gse.uci.edu/person/warschauer_m/overview.html Warschauer, M., & Meskill, C. (2000). Technology and second language learning. In J. Rosenthal (Ed.), Handbook of undergraduate second language education (pp. 303-318). Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum. Warschauer, M. (2004). Technological change and the future of CALL. In S. Fotos & C. Brown (Eds.), New Perspectives on CALL for Second and Foreign Language Classrooms (pp. 15-25). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.


ENDBODY