Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL)

Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL)

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Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) may be defined as the search for and study of applications of the computer in language teaching and learning (Levy, 1997, p.1).

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Roles of the Computer in language learning and teaching:

- computer as tutor for language drills or skill practice

- computer as a tool for writing, presenting, and researching

- computer as a medium of global communication

(Source: http://www2.nkfust.edu.tw/~emchen/CALL/unit1.htm)

The advantages of CALL

Learner’s Factors

• CALL can adapt to the learners' abilities and preferences.

• CALL can adapt to the learners’ cognitive and learning styles.
• CALL can adapt to the learner’s self-paced learning. CALL can be used for remedial work for slow learners and to accelerate learning for fast learners.
• CALL offers individualized and private learning.
• CALL, with branching capability, provides choices and paths for learning, allowing learners to work independently.
• CALL allows learners to control their own learning process and progress.

Motivation and Attitudes

• CALL provides strong motivation for learning. Students will often do on a computer what they are reluctant to do in a textbook or paper-pencil.
• Some CALL features such as graphics, sounds, animation, video, audio are interesting and motivating for many learners.
• CALL can improve learners’ attitudes towards learning English.

• CALL (internet) provides authentic communication that motivates students to use language outside language classroom.

Feedback and Progress Record

• CALL can provide immediate responsiveness and feedback.
• CALL provides accurate records of the learner’s performance and progress.

Teacher’s Roles and the Relationship with the Learner

• CALL can change the relationship between teacher and student.
• The teacher becomes a facilitator rather than a person who controls the learning environment.

• CALL is predictable and non-judgemental.

Mastery Learning

• CALL provides opportunities for mastery-learning language skills.
• CALL can lower the amount of time required to master some materials.

Co-operative Learning

• CALL (e.g.simulation games) encourages learners to work cooperatively in problem solving.

• CALL allows learners to learn cooperatively as a result of working together (such as group works, and discussion.)

Communication

• CALL (e.g. games and puzzles) create information gaps which provide learners a need to communicate or interact with each other or with the program.

• CALL (e.g. e-mail, chat, moos) promote direct communicative skills for the learners.
• CALL (e.g. e-mail, chat, moos) provides authentic, real communication with native speakers of English outside the classroom.

Access to Information and Cultures

• CALL (e.g. CD-ROM and the internet) can increase access to information to the learners.
• CALL (CD-ROM and the internet) allow learners to acess to cultures around the world.

Learning Environment

• CALL is a neutral medium. Compared to teachers, computers do not lose patience, get angry, or play favourites as some teachers do. This creates a safe learning environment.
• CALL can provide an active and positive learning environment.
• Integration of a variety of multimedia such as texts, graphics, sound, animation, and video, allowing for creating authentic meaningful language learning environments.

• CALL (the internet) has no limitations regarding different time zones and places.

Cost Effectiveness

• CALL is cost effective.

(Source: http://web.warwick.ac.uk/CELTE/tr/ovCALL/booklet1.htm)

Traditional CALL

Traditional CALL programs presented a stimulus to which the learner had to provide a response.

Discrete error analysis and feedback were a common feature of traditional CALL, and the more sophisticated programs would attempt to analyse the learner's response, pinpoint errors, and branch to help and remedial activities.

Explorative CALL

More recent approaches to CALL have favoured a learner-centred, explorative approach rather than a teacher-centred, drill-based approach to CALL. The explorative approach is characterised by the use of concordance programs in the languages classroom - an approach described as Data-Driven Learning (DLL) by Tim Johns (Johns & King 1991).

Multimedia CALL

Early personal computers were incapable of presenting authentic recordings of the human voice and easily recognizable images, but this limitation was overcome by combining a personal computer and a 12-inch videodisc player, which made it possible to combine sound, photographic-quality still images and video recordings in imaginative presentations - in essence the earliest manifestation of multimedia CALL. 

Web-based CALL

In 1992 the World Wide Web was launched, reaching the general public in 1993. The Web offers enormous potential in language learning and teaching, but it has some way to go before it catches up with the interactivity and speed of access offered by CD-ROMs or DVDs, especially when accessing sound and video files.

(Source: https://www.llas.ac.uk/resources/gpg/61)

Reflection:

On week 4, I learned more about Computer Assisted Language Learning. The roles of computer in language learning and teaching are important. The computer can be a tutor for language drills or skill practice. It can be a tool for writing, presenting, and researching. It also can be a medium of global communication. We should put the computer in our learning process to improve our education.