The Computer and Language Teaching

| May 5, 2005
Title
The Computer and Language Teaching

Keywords: No Keywords

Author
Abdolmajid Hayati

Bio Data
Address: Dept. of English
College of Lit. and Humanities,
Shahid Chamran University,
Ahvaz, IRAN.

*Brief history of professional expertise: Linguistics-Teaching
methodology, Contrastive Analysis

*Qualifications: Ph.d in Applied Linguistics, Teacher
of Linguistics and TEFL

Abstract
The advance in technology has made it quite possible to take advantage of many modern facilities in different facets of communication. The language learning/teaching process is no exception, since language in its strict technical sense is a means of communication.

Audio-visual devices such as tape-recorders and video-tapes have frequently been used effectively in language classes. However, since both human nature and the language learning/teaching process are dynamic phenomena, the need for the newest techniques and technological devices is felt.

Similarly, a computer stores as much information as its capacity allows. Thus, this is a good opportunity to utilize it as a complementary device to other audio visual aids in teaching language to learners. In fact, it is a sort of Computer-mediated Communication (CMC) which is, as Cook (2003:126) says, “…communication via a computer network. It may be one-to-one or one-to-many, and synchronous (in which participants are on-line simultaneously) or asynchronous (in which they are on line at different times).”

In the following, some functions of the computer in language classes will be illustrated. It is worth noting that each letter of the word “computer” is used to represent some key terms relevant to the teaching situation.

[private] See pages: 75 – 81

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Category: Monthly Editions, Volume 4