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31

English / Use of Technology in English Language Teaching and Learning

« on: March 06, 2018, 06:47:09 PM »

1.     Introduction:

Due to the number of English learners are increasing different teaching methods have been implemented to test the effectiveness in the teaching process. At present, the onset of technology has drastically changed the old manners of teaching English. With the influence of the phenomenon called Globalization which is interrelated with technology, education work and culture have been affected positively.

Nowadays, English language plays a very important role in several fields as education, industries, political, media, library, business, communication around the world.
Technology provides a lot of options in order to make English teaching method more interesting, besides this characteristic as well, this modern technological tool helps students to get involved and learn according to their interest. It has been tested effectively and is accepted in teaching English in the modern world. With the spread and development of English around the world, English has been learned and is used by more and more speaker.


2.     Use of Technology in Teaching English

To face the new reality which is related about the increasing of English, new teachers is needed to be instructed to guide students in a succeful teaching. ELT gives students too many opportunities to gain confidence and practice, one its characteristics is, that is a new manner of learning and teaching English is more dynamic than the old ones.


3.     The Growth of ELT Through Technology

English Language Teaching has been with us for many years and is keeping on growing, fuelled, partially by Internet. In 2000 there were about a billion English learners but ten years later the number doubled...On the other hand, over 80 % of the information stored in internet is in English. At present there are more Non-Native
than Native who uses the English language.
The rapid development of science and technology…in this contest we can see the application of Multimedia Technology in teaching, featuring audio, visual, animation effects comes into full play in English class teaching and sets a favorable platform for reform and exploration on English teaching model at the present.
It is important for language teachers to be aware of the latest and best equipment and to have full knowledge
of what is available in many given situation.
Teachers can use Multimedia Technology to give more colorful, stimulating lectures.
There are many techniques which are applicable in different degree to language learning situation. Some are useful for testing and distance education, and some for teaching business English, spoken English, reading, listening or interpreting.
Never let the machine takeover the role of the teacher plays or limit function where more traditional ways are superior.





4.  Analysis on Necessity of Application of Multimedia Technology to English Teaching

4.1. To Cultivate Students’ Interest in Study
Nowadays, multimedia technology is more acceptable because it offers a various resources as visual animation effects naturally and humanly makes us more access to information besides,… multimedia technology offers a sense of reality and function very well, which greatly cultivates students’ interest…

4.2. To promote Students’ Communication Capacity

Traditional manner of teaching language has hampered the process of learning and makes students very passive in understanding the structure, meaning the function the language, this made hard to achieve the target of communication. Multimedia technology seeks the integration all aspects in the teaching and learning language. This dynamic way in teaching and learning language motive students and make the activities more enjoyable. So multimedia technology teaching has uniquely inspired students’ positive thinking and communication skills in social practice.

4.3. To widen Students’ Knowledge to Gain an insightful Understanding to Western Culture

The multimedia courseware can help students to learn in a natural way and gives them the opportunity to learn the western culture. This modern tool make students to discuss between them and at the same time let them to improve their listening skill.

4.4. To Improve Teaching Effect

Multimedia teaching enrich teaching content… improve class efficiency. The utilization of multi-media sound lab materializes the individualized and co-operative teaching. Multimedia technology goes beyond time and space, create more vivid, visual, authentic environment for English learning stimulates students’ initiatives and economizes class time meanwhile increases class information.

4.5 To improve Interaction Between Teacher and Student

Multimedia teaching stresses the role student, and enhances the importance of “interaction” between teacher and students. A major feature of multimedia is to train and improve students’ ability to listen and speak, and to develop their communicative competence. During this process, the teacher’s role as a facilitator is particularly prominent.

4.6. Creates a Context for Language teaching

This method makes the class lively and interesting, optimizes the organization of the class,…sounds and picture can be set together.
When using multimedia software, teacher can use picture and imagines to enrich the content of classes, this allow students to understand the class in a clear way. Through multimedia and network technology we can offer students not only rich, sources of authentic material, but also an attractive and friendly interface, vivid pictures and pleasant sounds.



4.7. Provide Flexibility to Course Content:

Multimedia teaching is flexible. English teaching itself must focus on the guidance of teachers and be student-centered,
Which we believe is one of the principals for the language teaching.


Analysis on Problems Arising from Application for multimedia Technology


               There are many problems existing in practical teaching, such as:

1.       Multimedia technology is an assisting instrument to achieve the projected teaching effect, while if totally dependent on multimedia devices during  teaching, the teachers may be turned into slaves to multimedia and cannot play the leading role in teaching. The notion of Creative Education is to be fully comprehended that modern educational technique serves as an assisting instrument rather than a target and that should not dominate class. They are substitutes to effective teaching and learning.
2.       It also result in lack of communication between teachers and students, replacement of teachers’ voice by computer sound, and teachers’ analysis by visual image and students have few chances for speaking communication,…students are made viewers rather than the participants of class activities.
3.       Due to over-demonstration and pre-arranged order, the course ware lacks real-time effect and cannot give feedback.
Thinking capacity should be the major objective in teaching and using of multimedia technology and it should not take up the students’ time for thinking, analyzing and exploring questions.




             Conclusion:

              Multimedia is a modern and useful tool which makes the teaching and learning time in classroom more dynamic    but it should not replace the important role the teacher play as a guide. The human factor allows students to interact from the very beginning during the process of learning language. We have to be aware that we cannot throw away some extra resources like the blackboard where many explanations can be given to let students gain a solid knowledge of the language they are learning. A good teaching happens when students have the opportunity to think on their own way in the process of learning and this is possible by the actions of the teacher who should use the modern technology but in the right way.

References: http://nahumingles.blogspot.com/

32

English / Re: Assessment

« on: March 06, 2018, 06:45:45 PM »

It is really useful

33

English / Integrating technology into English language teaching

« on: March 06, 2018, 06:43:25 PM »

Integrating technology into English language teaching
In an interview with thehindu.com, Nik Peachey, language teacher, teacher trainer, technology trainer and educational technology consultant, talks about the impact teaching- and learning-technology has had on students and teachers. We’re proud at New College Group to offer engaging, innovative and technologically enhanced learning environments for our students. Our Techno-Hubs bring tech-based learning to the ELT classroom improving the way students and teachers communicate and interact through language learning.

Does technology make language learning easier?
Peachey claims that although advances in technology and improved accessibility have improved the level of resource available to many classrooms, it has not made the act of learning a language easier. Students are, however, given access to almost infinite learning materials, which compliments their efforts in the classroom. Indeed, Peachey admitted technology helps students think more critically. It encourages them to question what they are learning with access to a “wider range of opinion”.

The Techno-Hubs at New College Group play an important role in our student’s education. As well as the learning opportunities it offers, it also affords collaborative learning to improve creativity and evaluation.

Truly integrating technology into English language courses
Tech should not run alongside lesson plans, but compliment or even enhance them. Here’s what we feel the Techno Hubs and technology-based lessons have contributed to NCG:

Motivation in learning
Technology plays a massive part in day to day life for so many of us, it makes sense that it is incorporated into learning. Technology fascinates us, and engages us. Encouraging students to take part is arguably the most important part of any lesson plan, incorporating technology – especially creatively – could be the element that transforms a dull lesson into a captivating one.

As so much of learning comes from practice outside of the classroom, motivating students with innovative ideas is also important. If a student is interested in what is being taught, they are far more likely to seek more information on their own.

Education anywhere
More than just a wifi code, having access to technology in education will play a big part in its success.  Again, this counts both inside and outside of the classroom. Learning materials are now so much more than simply reading from a textbook, extending now to tablets and smartphones. Learners can continue to teach themselves beyond the classroom, in real life situations.

Practice makes perfect
For those students who are less familiar with the technology used in the classroom, using it in lessons provides much-needed practice. Technology isn’t set to take a back seat in learning, nor in life in general, and so students value the opportunity to familiarise themselves with using different devices in different ways, not just in developing language skills

Beyond limits
Obviously, technology is not to be used in place of effective teaching, but interactive tasks, text-to-speech conversion and online tutorials allow students to translate on-the-go. Independent learning, with access to relevant teaching material for support, means more practice and therefore more confidence to push perceived limitations – students are given the courage to try books beyond their current reading level, for example.

Providing context for English language
For our students, practicing English outside of a lesson offers exposure to English culture, and so context around what they are learning. Opportunities to practice English in a real life setting are far more readily available. This can be from news sites, through social media, or visiting online forums, all of which provide a variety in language use that is difficult to replicate in the classroom.

Transforming education
We’ve worked hard at NCG to understand how the technology we’ve introduced to our schools will benefit our students. We’ve made it work so that not only do classrooms benefit from the latest tools for learning, but our teachers benefit from time-saving, efficient teaching practices. As Nik Peachey states in his interview, technology “has a huge potential to transform education on a global scale” and we wholeheartedly agree.


Reference: https://www.newcollegegroup.com/blog/technology-english-language-teaching/