Language Learning with
Technology
Lecture: Week 4
SKBP1023
Table of Content
• History of Technology and Language
Learning
• Behaviourist Approach
• AudioLingual Approach
• Cognitive Approach
• Sociocognitive Approach
• Constructivist Learning
• Natural Approach
• Task Based Approach
Table of Content
• Current Technologies with Language
Learning
• Communicative CALL
• Benefits from Learning Writing with
Technologies
• Computer Assisted Language Learning
Benefits
• Criticisms of Technologies in Language
Education
• Open Courseware
History of Technology and Language Learning
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Phonograph, Audio Tape, Telephone
Radio, Television
Language Laboratories
Teaching Machine
Overhead projector
Computer Software
Multimedia Software
Internet Web Era
Behaviourist Approach
• Based on behaviourist theory with the principles
of operant conditioning, i.e. a learning that
involved rewards and punishments.
• Skinner built a rote and drill teaching machine in
1958, which presented programmed instruction
and provided feedbacks to students with correct
answers. (Clark, D. 1999)
• Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL)
– PLATO
– BYKI
http://www.byki.com/lists/Japanese/Meetingand-Greeting-1.html
Clark, D. (1999) A Time Capsule of Training and Learning
AudioLingual Approach
• ‘Audiolingual Method’ focuses on phonological
and accurate speech.
• Grammatical accuracy is less emphasized with this
method. (p.116-117)
• This method has its roots in behaviourism. The
procedure emphasizes language habit forming
with imitation and repetition.
• Students’ pronunciation and fluency is achieved by
listening to dialogue repeatedly and memorization
is encouraged.
Cerezal Sierra, F. (1995) Foreign Language Teaching
Methods:Some Issues and New Moves. Universided de Alcalá
Cognitive Approach
• The cognitive approach to communicative
language teaching is based on the view that
learning a language is an unique psycholinguistic
process.
• Text-reconstruction Software
– NewReader, Text Tanglers
• Concordancing Software
– AntConc
• Multimedia Simulation Software
– Philippe
Warschauer, M. and Meskill, C. (2000) Technology and Second
Language Teaching and Learning. in J. Rosenthal (ed)
Handbook of Undergraduate Second Language Education.
Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Socio-Cognitive Approach
• Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory
– Zone of Proximal Development
• Computer-Mediated Communication
– Synchronous tools: Daedalus Interchange
writing programs, synchronous chatting (ICQ,
MSN)
– Asynchronous tools: E-mail, conferencing
systems, ListServs, Newsgroups
• Computer-Assisted Discussions
– Blackboard
– WebCT
Vygotsky, L. 1978 Mind in society: The development of higher
psychological processes. (Chapter 6: Interaction between
learning and development, pp. 79-91). Cambridge, MA:
Harvard University Press.
Constructivist Learning
The term refers to the idea that learners construct
knowledge for themselves (Each learner individually
(and socially) constructs meaning as he or she
learns). Examples:
Computer Mediated Distance Education (CMDE)
• English for All
http://www.myefa.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=wel
come
• Learner Web
http://www.screencast.com/users/mlm504/folder
s/Jing/media/789b0a62-ccdd-472f-bffd477101e1a815
CECA. (1991) Constructivist Learning Theory. The Museum and
the Needs of People. CECA Conference. Oct 1991. Jerusalem.
Israel.
Natural Approach
Based on language acquisition refers to the
subconscious absorption of general principles of
grammar through real experience of communication
using L2. Example:
• Rosetta Stone
– http://www.rosettastone.com/personal/demo
Terrel, D. (1977) A Natural Approach to Second
LanguageAcquisition and LearningTracy. The Modern
Language Journal. Vol. 61. No. 7, 1977. pp. 325-337
Task Based Approach
The task-based model, emphasizes the organization
of tasks to facilitate the learners’ participation in
tasks which focus on rules and conventions of the
language system, communication, problem solving
activities, and situational tasks. Example:
– Webquest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4rel5qOPvU
http://tarek169.tripod.com/yt/
Cerezal-Sierra, F. (1995) Foreign Language Teaching Methods:
Some Issues and New Moves.Universided de Alcalá, 1995
Current Technologies
• Blogs
• Podcasts
• Wikis
http://innovations.oise.utoronto.ca/edtech/index.
php/Home
• Internet Games
http://languageplaytown.languageplayhouse.com/
service/displayHomePageExperience.kickAction?p
age=Homepage&as=32486
• Facebook, YouTube
• Virtual World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1IRkqbUoXY
Communicative CALL
Computer Assisted Language Learning technologies should base
on 13 communicative language acquisition principles below:
– Promote acquisition practice
– Develop implicit grammar rules
– Encourage original language utterances
– Avoid judging and evaluation of structural accuracy
– Provide hints instead of pointing out errors
– No rewards for success
– No cute patronizing comments
– Use target language exclusively
– Be flexible
– Allow students to explore the subject matter
– Create a natural language learning environment
– Don’t function as a book
– Fun
Underwood, J. H. (1984). Linguistics, computers, and the
language teacher : A communicative approach. Rowley,
Mass.: Newbury House Publishers.
Learning Writing with Technologies
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provide motivation for students to write
enhance students’ sense of audience
teach students the importance of revision
reduce stress in writing in target language, and
cultivate positive attitudes towards writing.
CHOI, J. (2008)The Role of Online Collaboration in Promoting ESL
Writing. English Language Teaching. Vol. 1. No. 1. June 2008.
Canada Centre of Science and Education.
http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/elt/article/viewFile/
508/490.
Benefits of CALL
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More democratic
Encourages equal participation
More fully collaborative language learning
Encourage student to notice and build on
other students’ ideas
• More planning time
Warschauer, M. and Meskill, C. (2000) Technology and Second
Language Teaching and Learning. in J. Rosenthal (ed)
Handbook of Undergraduate Second Language Education.
Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. (p.8-9)
Other Benefits
• Language laboratories audio and later multimedia
lessons provide drills on oral and visual aspects of
language communication and vocabulary learning.
(Salaberry, R. 2000. p.44, 46)
• CAI (Computer Assisted Instructions) can provide
assessment, monitoring, recording, analysis of student
language performance (p.44)
• Electronic dictionaries could provide a full range of
synonyms, grammatical and stylistic information
efficiently. (p.45)
• Speech generating capabilities of computer makes
electronic language tutoring possible (p.46)
Salaberry, M. (2001) The Use of Technology for Second
Language Learning and Teaching: A Retrospective. The
Modern Langauage Journal, 85, I, 2001.
Criticisms on CALL
Randall Davis argues that one of the issues with using
technology in language teaching is that language
education is being taken over by software
developers, hardware vendors and technicians.
• High Cost of Computer Programs
– Dragon Naturally Speaking
• Lack of Technical Support
• Negative Attitudes from teachers
Davis, R. (2006) Utopia or Chaos? The Impact of Technology on
Language Teaching. The Internet TESL Journal. Vol. XII. No.11.
Nov 2006.
Open Courseware
• 2001 MIT initiated the idea of “Open Courseware”
• University course material include: syllabi, lecture, notes,
assignments and exams.
• Open source model: free for download and modify
• 2006, 90 universities around the world participated.
• 2008, 6200 courses were developed.
• Language courses: English, German, French, Chinese,
Japanese, Spanish are offered.
• Many linguistics and language studies courses are also offered
References
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Cerezal Sierra, F. (1995) Foreign Language Teaching Methods:Some Issues
and New Moves. Universided de Alcalá
CHOI, J. (2008)The Role of Online Collaboration in Promoting ESL Writing.
English Language Teaching. Vol. 1. No. 1. June 2008. Canada Centre of
Science and Education.
http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/elt/article/viewFile/508/490.
Clark, D. (1999) A Time Capsule of Training and Learning
Davis, R. (2006) Utopia or Chaos? The Impact of Technology on Language
Teaching. The Internet TESL Journal. Vol. XII. No.11. Nov 2006.
Salaberry, R. (1996) A Theoretical Foundation for the Development of
Pedagogical Tasks in Computer Mediated Communication. In Hubbard, P.
(ed.) Computer Assisted Language Learning. 2009. Vol. 3. p.39-67. CALICO
Journal 14(1) (1996) p.5-34.
Salaberry, M. (2001) The Use of Technology for Second Language Learning
and Teaching: A Retrospective. The Modern Langauage Journal, 85, I, 2001.
Vygotsky, L. 1978 Mind in society: The development of higher psychological
processes. (Chapter 6: Interaction between learning and development, pp.
79-91). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Warschauer, M. and Meskill, C. (2000) Technology and Second Language
Teaching and Learning. in J. Rosenthal (ed) Handbook of Undergraduate
Second Language Education. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Online Resources
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BIKI http://www.byki.com/lists/Japanese/Meeting-and-Greeting1.html
Mango http://www.mangolanguages.com/lesson/view/9
English for All
http://www.myefa.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=welcome
Learner Web
http://www.screencast.com/users/mlm504/folders/Jing/media/
789b0a62-ccdd-472f-bffd-477101e1a815
Rosestta Stone
http://www.rosettastone.com/personal/demo
Webquest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4rel5qOPvU
http://tarek169.tripod.com/yt/
Wiki
http://innovations.oise.utoronto.ca/edtech/index.php/Home
Internet Games
http://languageplaytown.languageplayhouse.com/service/displ
ayHomePageExperience.kickAction?page=Homepage&as=32486
Virtual World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1IRkqbUoXY