CALL Computer Assisted Language Learning

What is CALL?

Computer Assisted Language Learning

an approach to language teaching and learning in which computer

technology is used as an aid to the presentation, reinforcement and

assessment of material to be learned, usually including a substantial

interactive element.

Around since the 1960s

One arm of Applied Linguistics

Has been gaining in popularity in the past 10

years.

What is CALL?

The Four Skills:

listening

speaking

reading

writing

Focuses on the Communicative Approach

language use over analysis

cf. grammar translation approach

Students engage with the language at their own

pace

How does it works?

Typical CALL programs present a stimulus to which the learner must respond. The stimulus may be presented in any combination of text, still images, sound, and motion video. The learner responds by typing at the keyboard, pointing and clicking with the mouse, or speaking into a microphone.

Consider in mind…

How effective are these programs?

How worthwhile is it to spend time and

money on them?

How do we choose among so many

offerings?

Strengths and Weaknesses of Computer

Strengths

Interactivity

A crucial strength of the new technology ; by virtue of the fact that the user

can gain control over learning and therefore becomes an active participant

in the learning process.

o allows the instant feedback from the computer

o makes it especially suited for implementing learner-centered teaching

methods.

Revolutionary for language pedagogy

The sound and graphic capabilities of the computer not only have improved presentation; they have also made possible what conventional textbooks cannot do.

Digitized audio has made possible the modeling of pronunciation.

strengths

Random and rapid access allows the instant retrieval of vocabulary and grammar explanations.

It also contributes to easy learner control and recycling of materials.

The consistency and patience of the computer is not only crucial for learning by association and repeated exposure. Paradoxically, without the possible ill-effects of an over-bearing human teacher, the patient and interactive computer can provide a very user-friendly and learner-centered learning environment.

strengths

In addition to the above-mentioned general characteristics, digital speech technology in particular has enabled the graphic display of the relevant acoustic properties of speech such as amplitude, pitch level and frequency composition.

The computer’s ability to store and manipulate data also makes it possible to keep scores, log errors and track learner performance.

Weaknesses

Users may quickly tire of the spinning characters, lights and whistles. The content and methodology of the program has to be the principal rationale in choosing a CALL program.

Advantages

&

Disadvantages

Advantages

Immediate feedback - Software programs can correct student responses instantly or they can provide hints so that students pinpoint their own mistakes

Interest and motivation

Individualization

A compatible learning style

Optimal use of learning time

Error analysis

Guided and repetitive practice

Pre-determined to process syllabus

Disadvantages

Less-handy equipment

Increased educational costs

Lack of trained teachers

Imperfect current CALL programs

Inability to handle unexpected situations

Problems with

CALL

Financial cost

Poorly chosen/designed CALL tasks

Lack of professional development for teachers

Skepticism regarding CALL effectiveness/resistance to change

The “Omnipotence Fallacy” & the “Sole Agent Fallacy” (Bax, 2003)

Conclusion

The advantages of CALL can be outlined as providing motivation and autonomy for learner, compatible and time flexible learning, immediate and detailed feedback, error analysis, and a process syllabus. Some considerations must be given to the disadvantages of CALL, such as less handy equipment, high cost of education, lack of trained teachers and of CALL programs of perfect quality, and limited capacity of computers to handle unexpected situations.

It is agreeable that technological advancement and development has enabled the application of CALL programs in language learning and instruction, and it has become a new trend recently. Even so, computer technology still has its limitation and weaknesses. Therefore, we must first realize the advantages and disadvantages of current CALL programs before applying them to improve our teaching or to help student learning. In the end, we can avoid the mistake in employing CALL program and get the maximum benefit for our ESL teaching and learning.

Refrences

htpp://www.iatefl.org.pl/call/j_soft27.htm

EUROCALL – http://www.eurocall-languages.org/

COMPUTER ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING (CALL) IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF INTERACTIVE APPROACH: ADVANTAGES AND APPREHENSIONS T. Ravichandran