share book review: "language learning with technology"

EAL RESOURCES IN REVIEW

SHARE ISSUE 5 2014 44

In conclusion, Language Learning with Technology is a must-have new book which is suitable for both new and experienced teachers, with lesson aims focusing on language rather than technology and suggestions for recommended software or websites to supplement lessons. I think this new book is going to be a hit! �

Graham Stanley, Cambridge University Press. 2013. ISBN: 9781107628809

Language Learning with Technology is the latest in the handbook series for teachers published by Cambridge University Press and contains eleven chapters. The book can be utilized by experienced or newly qualified language teachers who are keen to incorporate technology into their lessons. The book has over 130 activities that the reader can choose to supplement their course book or current materials with.

The initial chapters, ‘Integrating technology’ and ‘Building a learning community’, focus on introducing technology into the classroom. The remaining chapters offer suggestions to teachers to help them incorporate various

ideas when teaching of different skills and systems. All skills and language areas are mentioned, including assessment, project work and pronunciation. It is very bold for any book to tackle such a broad and ever-evolving subject in education.

The introduction of Language Learning with Technology focuses on the benefits of using technology in the classroom, as well as developing a principled approach to integrating technology. One attempt of the book is to assist teachers in developing skills which are required to ensure a lesson involving technology is successful. The teacher is referred to selected lesson ideas, such as setting up a language wiki for their class (page 35), and is then provided with further information on how to set a Wiki up (Appendix B). Appendix B correlates to the various teaching ideas within the book and provides a list of websites that the reader can visit for more ideas and information. Appendix A is a ‘technologies guide’ and offers ideas on how best to record and edit speaking, develop and introduce learners to a class blog, as well as use Google Forms as a surveying tool. The author assumes some previous base technical knowledge and is by no means a complete guide for teachers who are new to the various suggested technologies introduced in the series. However, as with anything, it is advisable for technical neophytes to learn through doing and, as most professional teachers would agree, the preparation of lessons, combined with the teaching of the classes, is an integral component of integrating this new information.

LANGUAGE LEARNING WITH TECHNOLOGY REVIEWED BY MARTIN SKETCHLEY

MARTIN SKETCHLEY

Martin Sketchley

has been an English

language teacher

for over 8 years with

teaching experience

in South Korea,

Romania and the

UK. He holds an MA

in English Language

Teaching from the University of Sussex, holds

a Diploma in ELT, completed the CELTA in

Seoul and also holds a Trinity young learner

certificate (TYLEC). He is a member of the

IATEFL Young Learner SIG and is also a Young

Learner Coordinator for LTC Eastbourne. His

other responsibilities include supporting

a local charity as a Trustee to provide ESOL

courses for migrants and asylum seekers. You

can find out more about Martin Sketchley on

his website www.eltexperiences.com as well as

find him on Twitter (@ELTExperiences). Email:

Martin.Sketchley@ltc-eastbourne.com