Running Head: COMPUTER ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING

Computer Assisted Language Learning Jeisson Nicols Rozo UNICA

COMPUTER ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING Abstract Education technologies were one of the most developed areas in the world. Computers, which have entered the school life in the late 1950s in developed countries, are still developing day by day throughout the world; the computer-

mediated communication and the Internet have reshaped the use of computers for language learning. Computers are no longer a tool for only information processing and display but also a tool for information processing and communication. Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), use different methods to accomplish a specific educational goal. The use of technology by a computer enhances the student to use different tools with the computer as a device to help children or Adults to learn a foreign language, the computer with software and hardware give us a lot of tools and ways to improve supplementary practice in the skills: speaking, reading, listening and writing, there are different programs used in a computer (Word, Power Point, Adobe, Moviemaker etc) and games which students can interact. Through this method language learning will be much easier for students; teachers will be able to go from the normal class and move on an interactive activity. According to some studies this method helps people to learn easier a foreign language because they are surrounded by the technological area which is a very popular activity nowadays. But students not only use programs, internet and games, but they can use videos and some other tools that a computer can offer us. Keywords: Technology, interactive, method, educational, tools, teacher.

COMPUTER ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING Computer Assisted Language Learning

CALL used to be a result of development in research related to the use of computers for linguistic purposes and for creating suitable language learning conditions, 1980s have witnessed the spread of computers both in educational institutions and in people's homes (Gndz, 2005) since the beginning of the 80s computers has also found their way into many schools (Gndz, 2005) , the computer laboratory has become an integral component of foreign-language programs in most educational institutions; Computers have been used for language teaching for more than three decades, the computer-mediated communication and the Internet have reshaped the use of computers for language learning. Computers are no longer a tool for only information processing and display but also a tool for information processing and communication, the computer is a human made tool which is incapable of action (Gndz, 2005). That is, it has no inborn wisdom, no initiative and inherent ability to learn or to teach. It may communicate with the student visually by displaying text, graphics or video images on a screen; it can also present sound in the form of speech, music or other audio-output (Gndz, 2005). Computer assisted language learning is a term used by teachers and students to describe the use of computers as part of a language course (Gndz, 2005), computers allow the user to carry out tasks which are impossible in other media such as providing feedback automatically on certain kinds of exercises or editing a piece of writing by deleting, moving and inserting text (Gndz, 2005). CALL present the computer as flexible classroom aid, which can be used by teachers and learners, in and out of class to learn a foreign language, CALL also use generally activities such a transferring information from one medium to another; that

COMPUTER ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING

is, from one student to another, or from one group to another group (Gndz, 2005). Students listen to a tape-recording of a story and then sequence the events of the story, or match sentences spoken with the characters in a story. Also CALL frequently involves an information-gap, with one student, or group of students needing information from others in the class to complete an activity (Gndz, 2005). One of the characteristics of many CALL programs is that the students have to pronounce or type in exactly the answer the computer expects because the computer can only accept the answers it has been programmed to accept (Gndz, 2005). The role of computers in language teaching has changed significantly in the last three decades. Previously, computers used in language teaching were limited to text. Simple simulations and exercises, primarily gap-filling and multiple-choice drills, abounded. Technological and pedagogical developments now allow us to integrate computer technology into the language learning process (Gndz, 2005). The value of CALL is that it allows a richer form of language exploration and play than has ever possible before. The use of computers is compatible with a variety of approaches, methods and techniques of learning and teaching (Gndz, 2005).

COMPUTER ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING

References

Gndz, N. (2005, October). The Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies. Retrieved Agust 08, 2011, from www.jlls.org/Issues/Volume1/No.2/nazligunduz.pdf