Topic1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER-ASSISTED LENGUA LEARNING

What is CALL?

Computer – Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is an approach to language teaching and learning in which computer technology is used as an aid to the presentation, reinforcement, and assessment of the material to be learned.CALL implements the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in second/foreign language learning and teaching. It includes a wide range of activities spanning materials and courseware development, pedagogical practice, and research.

CALL Related Acronyms

Link to Canva: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFjZcYjYTI/VG0RJgszLlCU-vTv0wSFoA/edit?utm_content=DAFjZcYjYTI&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Approaches to CALL

Rather than focusing on the typology of CALL, they identified three historical phases of CALL, classified according to their underlying pedagogical and methodological approaches:

• Behavioristic CALL: conceived in the 1950s and implemented in the 1960s and 1970s.

• Communicative CALL: 1970s to 1980s.

• Integrative CALL: embracing Multimedia and the Internet: 1990s.

Advantages and Disadvantages of CALL

Advantages 

• Interest and motivation

Classical language teaching in the classroom can be monotonous, boring, and even frustrating, and students can lose interest and motivation in learning. CALL programmers can provide students with ways to learn English through Computer-assisted language learning (CALL).

•  Individualization

CALL allows learners to have non-sequential learning habits; they can decide on their own which skills to develop and which course to use, as well as the speed and level of their own needs.

• A compatible learning style

Students have different styles of learning, and an incompatible style for students will cause serious conflicts for them. Computers can provide an exciting “fast” drill for one student and “slow” for another.

• Optimal use of learning time

The importance of flexible learning, learning anywhere, anytime, anyhow, and anything you want, which is very true for web-based instruction and CALL. 

• Immediate feedback

Computers can give instant feedback and help students ward off their misconceptions at the very first stage. The advantages of CALL as giving immediate feedback, allowing students at their own pace, and causing less frustration among students.

•  Error analysis

A computer can analyze the specific mistakes that students made and can react in different ways from the usual teacher, which makes students able to make self-correction and understand the principle behind the correct solution.

•    Guided and repetitive practice

They can repeat the course they want to master as many as they wish. CALL materials are suitable for repetitive practice, which enables students to learn concepts and key elements in a subject area.

•  Pre-determined to process syllabus

For example, a monotonous paper exercise of ‘fill-in-the-blanks’ type can be made more exciting on the screen in the self-access mode, and students can select their own material.

Disadvantages 

•  Less-handy equipment.

School computers or language laboratories can only be accessed during restricted hours, so the CALL program only benefits people who have computers at home or personal notebooks.

•  Increased educational costs.

CALL will increase educational costs, since computers become a basic requirement for students to purchase, and low-budget school and low-income students cannot afford a computer.

• Lack of trained teachers.

It is necessary for teachers and students to have basic technical knowledge before applying computer technology in second language teaching and learning.

•  Imperfect current CALL programs

At present, the software of CALL mainly deals with reading, listening, and writing skills. There are some speaking programs have been developed recently, but their functions are still limited.

• Inability to handle unexpected situations

The learning situation that a second-language learner faces are various and ever-changing. Computers merely have artificial intelligence, and they cannot deal with learners’ unexpected learning problems or respond to learners’ questions immediately as teachers do.

Learn more about CALL in the following video: