Language Learning Highway

Using Technology to assist language learning.Presented by: John Jenkins

ED 408Educational Technology Class

CALL Highway 102

What is CALL?CALL stands for Computer-Assisted Language

Learning.

» An approach to teaching and learning foreign languages where the computer and computer-based software are used to present, reinforce and assess material to be learned.

CALL Exit Left» Origins traced back to 1960 and since

then has had a “symbiotic relationship between the development of technology and pedagogy.” World-wide web launched in 1993 to the general public, opened up new possibilities in CALL including online versions of software to computer-mediated communication (and now to Web 2.0 interactive applications).

» These include: drill programs and task-based activities

Role of Teachers & students in CALL:

» Following the constructivist philosophy, teachers take on the “guide-by-the-side” role as opposed to the “sage-on-the-stage”

» Students have an active rather than a passive role in the learning process as they develop the 4 skills of language learning competency.

4 Language Learning Competencies include:

CALL can be used for…

» Vocabulary practice» Grammar lessons» Comprehension exercises

» Reading Tasks» Writing Tasks» Pronunciation tasks

What other tasks can you think of that are important forLearning a new language?

Task #1: Vocabulary

VOCAB Road This ExitExamples of vocabulary and Grammar exercises

•Research indicates that students using computer programs to learn vocabulary words, outperformed the ones who read the vocabulary in print form •Research also indicates that the more multimedia (audio,video, graphics,animation, and interactivity) the higher the outcomes in vocabulary acquisition1

Task #2: Comprehension

Research also points out that offeringChoices in the various types of glosses(multimedia interfaces)-- “better develop vocabularies, greater background knowledge and other reading comprehension strategies.”

Comprehension Highway Exit Here(An example of a listening comprehension site)

Examples of Reading (and writing) exercises:

» Online discussion boards» Blogs» Online journals» Scripts» WIKIs

Can you think of other authentic reading and writing tasks?

Task #3: Reading & Writing

As with all language learning tasks, authentic writing tasks from the internet, create high motivation for students to learn how to write in their target language.

Click Here for a fun Web 2.0 writing tool demo for

language learners

Task #3 Continued

Task #4: Pronunciation Highway 107

» Pronunciation is of course best taught using audio software. Ones with audio-recording features are even better (but most require download fee). Language learning websites which include audio examples of pronunciation are of course the BEST!

Pronunciation Park This Exit.(Example website with audio features)

Advantages of CALL» Increases motivation.» Adapts learning to the student.» It is authentic.» It increases critical thinking skills.

Problems and criticisms of CALL instruction:

» Cost » Reluctance on part of teachers» More difficult to evaluate» Lack of unified theoretical

framework for designing and evaluating CALL

Language Learning Site

This EXITVisit these other cool sites:» Wordchamp

» Englishbaby» Esl-lab.com» Librivox.com» Esl-library.com

References:» http://iteslj.org/Articles/Constantinescu-Vocabulary.htm

l» www.ericdigest (Interactive Language Learning on the

web).» http://iteslj.org/Articles/Singhal-Internet.html» http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-assisted_languag

e_learning» www.cpr4esl.com» www.flashcardexchange.com» www.johnsesl.com» www.whitesmoke.com» www.wordchamp.com» www.englishbaby.com