DEVELOPMENT AND INFLUENCE OF IT ON

TEACHING ENGLISH
V.Cvetkovic, T.Petkovic, E.Tobolka
University of Novi Sad, Technical faculty ''Mihajlo Pupin'', Zrenjanin, Republic of Serbia
cvetkovic.vladislava@gmail.com, ptamara0210@gmail.com, tobolka@eunet.rs

Abstract - Teaching in modern education is under the

increased influence of information technology, which
indicates the endeavor to modernize the educational process,
and not only to use modern teaching resources into everyday
teaching, but to make it a part of it. The uses of computers,
software and the Internet in teaching the English language
is steadily rising. Additionally, learning culture in English is
becoming a standard element of most educational programs,
which gives a dynamic approach in preparing the students
for the global labor market, making them more culturally
competent. Furthermore, this teaching technique provides
students with the opportunity to improve their ability in
developing cultural hypothesis while confirming their
validity through the use of Web Sites and software.

I.

II.

EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE FOR LEARNING THE

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

The software that is used while learning a foreign

language in higher grades is called Tell Me More in
different variations for the appropriate language. This
application is far more advanced because the content is
adapted for different levels of knowledge. One of the
fundamental benefits of this software is the use of
technologies for voice recognition and automatic
correction of errors that the student makes. It also has 3D
animations that show the correct position of the mouth
and lips to correctly pronounce certain words. This way,
there is a far higher interactivity between the students and
the computer.

INTRODUCTION

The continuous development of science and

technology led to the point where information
technologies became a core part of all aspects of life.
Through the use of multimedia technologies, students
have a far easier time in learning the new material. A
large number of studies confirmed the thesis that memory
traces exist far longer if new knowledge is acquired
through multiple perceptual experiences that the student
has during classes.
The process of teaching English is one of the first in
which there has been a significant shift in introducing
new teaching resources. Through the use of cards and
audio-video material (tapes, CD, DVD) has begun an
effort to modernize the teaching process, and thanks to
the development of information and communication
technologies and their introduction into schools, new
approaches in teaching have been enabled. The
acquisition of the four fundamental skills while learning a
foreign language (reading, writing, listening and
speaking), is made far easier with the use of appropriate
teaching software, and through the use of the Internet, the
students knowledge gets a whole new dimension in
terms of understanding not only the language but also the
culture of speaking areas where the language is spoken.

Image 1: The applications appearance

In lower grades of elementary school, in English

Language classes, the teacher uses an application called
Word Birds Word Land which was created with a goal
for students to expand their vocabulary in all areas of life
in a fun way. Through games, children learn to use new
teams in everyday speech in a fun and interesting way.
Satisfying the didactic principle, adaptation of age
systematization and gradualness and individualization
and socialization, the software enables an active class

through whom the student sets himself in the heart of the

process and actively participates in class. As an example
of use of the software we can take a class of English
language in the third grade of elementary school on the
subject of Food: the teacher begins his lecture with a
demonstrative method using cards, and in the main part
of the class, he uses either group or individual form of
work on the computer. The student through games and
interesting animation individually adopts new vocabulary.
In the last segment of class, the students affirm their
newly acquired knowledge and practice writing.
Using these software applications in teaching, the
students have an easier time in learning new vocabulary
and are ready to use it in speaking and writing next time
in class. But why does it come to this? Multimedia class
has a big influence on the students positive motivation
that which awakens their interests, and, in a fun way,
requires the students to use their skills and previously
acquired knowledge in adopting new teaching material.
The teacher acts as a mediator between the student and
the computer, his role is to guide the students, to
encourage them, and not to just merely reproduce the
newly acquired knowledge.
The students motivation during this kind of work is
extremely high, and with it the amount of knowledge the
students acquire is also very high. An interesting fact is
that the students with weaker abilities can also achieve
satisfying results and can use the newly acquired
knowledge later down the line. Of course a significant
effort has to be put in so that this way of teaching
becomes an integral part of every class, but we must not
forget the role the teacher plays in the teaching process as
a good organizer, and must show his humanity when
working with the students. Combining these two aspects
gets the best results.

students motivation is increased, and therefore making

an active class. Web sites are also used for cultural
purposes, with which learning gains a whole new
dimension. Namely, the students familiarize themselves
with the culture, traditions and customs of the people
whose language they study, which can serve as a very
good incentive for understanding the meaningfulness of
the teaching material they are learning. For an example,
when the students mention a city that is located in an
English speaking area or an English custom, it is certainly
of great benefit to seek more information about this from
the Internet. This type of work can be in a form of
homework, but it can also be use effectively in classes in
higher grades. On web sites, students can find official
presentations of cities, their characteristics, and structures
that are hallmarks of given cities. Using this approach,
the students awareness about the elements of English
culture is affected, emphasizing that students should be
pointed to the differences between the culture of our
country and countries of the English-speaking world.
Students can also familiarize themselves, through the use
of web sites, with the worlds well known newspapers and
magazines, which not only have a lot of pictures, but also
a large amount of audio and video material, which they
can use to discus about the given topics in written form.
Information technology is constantly evolving and should
be used not only as authentic material, but also for the
purpose of various forms of communication. Using
multimedia concepts, students gather information and
material which they can use in their discussions on the
subject of a given city or any other segment of culture.
They themselves will try to express their views, their
understanding of the country and the language they study.

IV.
III.

THE USE OF WEB SITES IN TEACHING ENGLISH

The use of the Internet in class, presents a new teaching

technology that provides a huge motivational influence
on students. The Internet is something with which the
students are already familiar, they use it every day at
home for a variety of reasons and uses, so its use in the
classrooms serves as a way for students to expand their
knowledge and perspective concerning the teaching of a
foreign language. Many web sites are created with
interactivity in mind, through which students can learn
and practice their grammar and vocabulary, but they can
also be used as a way of introducing the students to new
cultures and their language.
As an example of its use, we can take an English class of
higher grades of elementary school where students are
affirming a grammar unit that was learnt before. The
students use a web site where they can practice their
grammar, and complete various tasks and test that include
different grammar units from all aspects of English.
The role of the teacher is to prepare the students for
solving the tests, and after completing it, begin the
discussion on the results and the acquired knowledge.
This way, the teachers work is made easier, and the

ONLINE COURSES FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING

ENGLISH

Independent learning English is simple and complicated

at the same time. It is necessary to properly organize
courses, choose the appropriate technique to find good
books and dictionaries. English courses with the help of
the Internet allow raising the level of knowledge and
faith in yourself because everyone likes to master new
skill without assistance. It is well known that
understanding by listening plays a key role in learning a
foreign language. If the Web sites are well selected and
organized, it can be offered a lot of opportunities for the
adoption of the English language through the
development of skills by listening and talking in a
cheerful and pleasant context. One of these sites is the
site ''ABA English'' that allows you communication with
teachers whose primary language is English. With the
help of interesting video lessons, children and adults
develop the skills of listening, pronouncing and
understanding English language and eventually resulting
in a certificate confirming their knowledge.

The introduction of new teaching methods and

techniques, increases the students motivation and the
acquired knowledge as well. It also gives them access to
culturally authentic materials that they otherwise would
not be able to experience. What is more important is that
it allows them to develop their own cultural
understanding which confirms that thesis understanding
a culture is a dynamic process in which students are
constantly connecting their cultural background
knowledge to the current experiences in order to create a
sense of meaningfulness (Robinson). Students learn to
accept differences in cultures and they will integrate
some parts of it into their lives.

REFERENCES

Image 2: ABA english-Course Unit

V.

CONCLUSION

Using information technologies, students are given

valuable information for studying a language and culture.

[1]
[2]

[3]

A. Pritchard, Effective Teaching with Internet Technologies,

Paul Chapman Publishing, 2007.
G. Robinson, Crosscultural understanding: Processes and
approaches for foreign language, English as a foreign language
and bilingual educators, Prentice Hall, 1986.
Perrett J, Dench A, Harrison G, Riley H: Word Bird's World
Land, Prentice Hall Macmillan 1996.