Iacob. I.(2009). The Effectiveness of Computer Assisted Classes for
English as a Second Language. Computer Science Series, volume 7; Timisoara,
Roumanie.
This study
aims to evaluate the efficiency of the computer assisted English classes. It
represents the benefits of using the computer in the pre-school and elementary
school classes highlighted by a report on the comparative observation of four
groups of children , two groups from the elementary school and two groups from
the preschool , each group is consists of almost 8 children who are studying
English in a computer assisted environment. One group of the preschool children
and one of the elementary school children have been participated to ESL classes
assisted by computer, being also provided the same materials at home to be used
at least two times a week. The other groups have been participated to ESL
classes assisted by computer but with no practice at home. The results revealed
that the groups have got good receptive skills ,the difference lies in the
speed of responses and its accuracy. The groups that used the computer at home
presented a significant decrease in their reaction and responses. They show
greater vocabulary gain and their usage of words is more correct and fluent.
The author discusses the aspects of
computer assisted English language learning which provides the learners with
unprecedented opportunities for developing second language literacy skills and
intercultural understanding by using materials on CD-ROM, DVD's or Web-based
resources in the ESL classes. As a result ,the class becomes more dynamic,
attention-grabbing ,offering the students new entertaining ways.
CALL programs
appeared as a modern teaching alternative to the traditional teacher-centered
class. So, there has been a lot of concern regarding the role of the teacher.
Teachers show anxiety to the idea that they might be eliminated from the
process of teaching and that the new virtual environment requires a training to
become familiar with the use of technology. Teacher are expected to fix the
technical problems that might occur. There is also the generation gap between
the students who are more familiar than their teachers with the new technology.
The teachers should make extra effort to adjust their competence and knowledge
to new teaching environment .
In general
,there are several advantages in using multimedia programs in teaching a
foreign language. First, the combination of the learning paths leads to greater
success in the acquisition. Second ,this learning environment is similar to the
one in the real world where listening is combined with seeing which address a
natural way of students' learning specially when they are children.
Another
advantages having a psychological dimension on the part of the learner: first ,
it moves the center of interest from the teacher to the learner. The student
feel less pressure on him regarding the idea of being continuously evaluated.
The students feel more comfortable because they are not restricted to their
class. The shy or less-able students feel free to exercise. They have more
direct experiences and therefore they learn more.
The role of the
teacher is not eliminated , actually the teacher selects and integrates the
materials used by computer, conducts the class , establishing specific goals,
organizing review sessions, reinforcing what has been learned by monitoring the
conversation and encouraging the students and motivating them.
The students have
more control over the computer assisted learning process, they can decide on
the pace of learning which offers a solution to the problem of the differences
between the learners. Students also will not feel frustrated if not keeping up
with their mates , they will not get bored by repeating some well-known items.
They feel more confident ,their self-esteem will raise and they will enjoy
their success. They are involved in a decision making process they also find
themselves in situation of managing their learning process as they get more
responsible and more aware of their implications of the learning process.
Using the computer also makes the class more interesting, the teacher
makes less effort in maintaining the students focused at the materials.
The author focuses mainly on the advantages of using the computer
technology in the ESL children class , because children up to 12 are very
dynamic and eager to prove their capacity of fulfilling any assigned task. They
need their creativity and imagination to be challenged and they need a learning
process more close to the way they naturally learn daily and this can be
achieved through the use of computer and technology. So, the child is exposed
to a dynamic combination of sounds, music ,images combined in an attractive
story that makes the child excited to participate to what is happening on the
computer screen. They are also keener on improving their pronunciation as their
models or the characters .
The main
advantage is that they maintain children attention and stimulate their
motivation and keep them exposed to an instance of language used by native
speakers' and if the children have the opportunity of using the English
learning software at home ,the benefits will be spectacular .Children can
develop their listening skill firstly and then their speaking one, which is the
natural way of learning a language.
The author represents the criticism to the
computer technology in the ESL children class. The computer cannot evaluate the
learner's speech, it cannot provide consistent feedback also. These limitations
are real ,the solution will be the teacher's active role. As the technology and
the use of computer is not meant to replace the teacher but to assist him.
While the computer may develop especially the receptive skills, the teacher'
role is to develop the expressive ones which are much more related to the human
dimension of communication.
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