Perhaps once you become a teacher you’ve found yourself thinking about how great it would be to go back to your school and learn more about different aspects of the field of education. It is just a perfect time to brush up on some of your skills, or even learn something entirely new. Or not. Either way, it’s not a bad idea. In this second week of class, let me introduce you what is CALL all about, which is being used from top-notch universities around the world by the educator or teacher.
As defined by Mark Warschauer, Computer Assisted Language Learning or simplified as CALL is divided in three phrases, which are- Behaviouristic CALL, Communicative CALL and Integrative CALL. CALL is an approach to language teaching and learning in which computer technology is used as a tool for presentation, reinforcement, and assessment of material to be learned. The factors that determine the characteristics of any CALL program include:
- the language taught
- the language of instruction
- the language writing system (both roman and non-roman character based)
- the level of the language to be taught (from absolute beginners to advanced)
- what is to be taught (grammar, informal conversation and pronunciation)
- how it is to be taught
Moreover, the programmes which have been specifically designed for English language teaching consist of CALL-specific software (CD-ROM's and online), Web-based learning material, Generic software (word processor, presentation software, spreadsheet) and Computer-mediated communication (online chat, discussion forum). I believed this presence of CALL helps to promote student or learner centredness or autonomy as it gives meaningful purpose in learning. Computers quickly allow us to access to a particular piece of information, whereas teachers looking for a specific section will
definitely spend more time retrieving that piece of information.
On the other hand, while computers will always
deliver the same type of information in the same way, teachers in classrooms are very important because they
offer various significant examples in order to provide a better understanding of a particular topic, adjusting their
pace and rhythm according to the students individual needs.
The role of the teacher in the classroom is very important and even though computers have become part of the
learning process, helping students with information, it is the teachers that can provide valuable feedback and
offer always good information to their students, teach them how to correctly choose the right and genuine
sources of information on the Internet and also be creative.
Now, I hope all of you clearly understand the role of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and understand why computers are valuable instruments for the learning process and at the same time, how Internet has successfully create the creativeness in language learning among students or learner. Oh! Before you go, here is a video found from YouTube by Prof. Peggy Marcy's TESOL Education covers about this topic. Enjoy!
