Technology transforms virtually all human pursuits. In the field of education, the use of audiovisual aids, computers, and telecommunication devices has radically altered classroom dynamics. For ESL and TFL practitioners, the possibilities being opened up by technology are highly promising, with the currently accepted practices already demonstrating the huge benefits technology offers to both students and educators. Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is a growing sector and advocacy in the language instruction area that has huge potentials in making the learning of a second or foreign language easier and more accessible.

The impact of technology on all levels of academic instruction cannot be overstated. For the most part, educators agree that technology enriches the learning experience in many ways. For example, watching relevant video clips certainly enhances how students develop an appreciation of nature and its processes. Research work also becomes much easier using an online computer. In the ESL and EFL sector, the advances in software development and the channels through which multimedia instructional content can be delivered has already reached the point that ignoring CALL in instructional strategy is almost unthinkable. Serious language educators who wish to be effective, updated, and creative practitioners should integrate CALL in their lesson plans.

Various studies already affirm the positive impact of technology on students' ability to think, articulate, and create ideas using words that are expressed verbally or in writing. There are already dozens of computer software, for example, that are designed to allow young learners to create their own stories even before they undergo formal language training. Word processors are not just great tools for doing home work, they are also instrumental in helping students grasp English syntax through built-in dictionaries as well as spell and grammar checkers.

Definition and History of CALL

Broadly defined, CALL refers to approaches in language teaching and learning that uses computers as aids in one or more aspects of the learning engagement. These aspects include how instructional materials are presented to students, how students engage the instructional content, and how their understanding of the lesson concepts are assessed. Thus, Power Point presentations, video conferencing, interactive language games, and computerized assessment exams all fall under the classification of computer-assisted language learning.

The use of computers in language instruction can be traced to as early as the 1960s wherein programs lodged in mainframe computers were used in universities as teaching aids. One example is the PLATO project that was designed in the University of Illinois and offered a number of coursework from elementary to university levels. When the personal computer was introduced in the late 1970's, CALL programs were developed and marketed more aggressively. Since then, CALL evolved into a formidable tool for instructing language learners, and one that should never be barred from a language classroom.

Benefits of CALL

Early studies on technology-enhanced instruction already indicated strong evidences on the positive impact of technology on education. According to these studies, technology-enriched classrooms exhibit impressive learning outcomes including higher test scores, improved learner attitudes, higher interest about the subject matter, and deeper engagement.

Two such studies are particularly notable. One was directly funded by the Department of Education while the other is a 10-year program called ACOT (Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow) initiated by Apple. The first study concluded that the effective use of technology translated to improved gains for all students regardless of demographics: parental income, gender, age and other criteria. Meanwhile, the second study reported that students immersed in technology-enhanced environments not only performed consistently well but also learned other competencies that were rarely measured before. These include behavioral modifications wherein students are encouraged to explore their environment more. Students under the program also became socially aware, self-starters and independent learners. They were also enabled to communicate more effectively and generally developed more confidence in their abilities.

When properly deployed, CALL delivers huge benefits that ESL and TFL educators cannot choose to ignore:

• CALL has a significant positive effect on learning achievement.
• Interactive videos are effective tools when lesson concepts have strong visual elements.
• Online collaborative interfaces have been shown to improve students' academic skills as well as increase their self-esteem.
• Use of computer-based instruction can result to positive attitudinal changes--particularly those relating to self-confidence, learning motivation, and how lessons are received. When students are allowed to manage their own learning pace, the effects were greater.
• CALL transforms the learning environment into a student-centric engagement.
• CALL encourages cooperative learning and dramatically improves student-teacher interactions.
• CALL provides avenues for passive and underachieving students to perform, communicate and participate better.

Barriers in the Use of CALL

While the advantages of integrating CALL in the overall language teaching strategy are well-documented, there are still barriers that prevent many educators to fully embracing the benefits of CALL. In a study conducted at the University of Taiwan, these barriers were itemized as follows:

1. Financial Barriers. The cost of computers, online connectivity, software and technical support can be prohibitive, especially in economically less advanced locations.
2. Availability of Relevant and Applicable Software. High quality software that are applicable to the socio-cultural context of the language classroom may sometimes be difficult to come by.
3. Technical Proficiencies of Teachers and Learners. There are cases wherein the learning curve required of teachers and/or students to develop adequate proficiency in the use of new technology may prevent full integration.
4. Hesitation in Accepting New Technology. Similarly some cultures take longer to accept novelty than others.

Notwithstanding the barriers, the future is still very bright for computer-assisted learning simply because it has been consistently demonstrated to work extremely well. In addition, many of the barriers will eventually be addressed even in the short term (the prices of computer hardware and software are generally going down, computer interfaces are rapidly becoming so intuitive that people hardly need a technical background to operate touch screen phones, notebooks, and computers, etc).

Conclusion

CALL is arguably the most formidable instructional aid ESL/EFL educators can integrate in their learner engagement strategies. Currently, the range of available online applications that ESL/EFL educators can use in their classrooms is far-ranging. There are dictionaries, encyclopedias, language translators, resource links, forums, chat rooms, digital pronunciation tutors, quizzes, videos, music and games. Aligning lessons to integrate some of these aids will enrich the experience of both students and language teachers.

CALL impacts practically all aspects of the learning process that giving lessons without it is like shortchanging both the learner and the educator.

1. CALL promotes experiential learning that empowers students not only to become self starters but also content creators themselves.
2. CALL boosts student motivation because computers are associated with games and are considered fashionable.
3. CALL allows for the accessing of instructional materials 24/7.
4. CALL provides the infrastructure for close collaboration and cooperative learning.
5. CALL expands the learning environment by bringing in resources from the World Wide Web.
6. CALL promotes global understanding.

To use CALL in the language classroom is to embrace the future of holistic language education. Hardly designed to replace teachers, CALL nonetheless provides new and richer opportunities for learning English. In addition, CALL is already redefining the roles of language educators and students such that ESL/EFL teachers are not just sources of information but knowledge facilitators who guide students on how to proactively assess and build on the information shared with them. Meanwhile, students take on a more active role as content creators instead of merely just content recipients.

Michael G. Hines is and educator and the Founder of Icon Group (IconGroupThailand) – Educating the Future: The ESL Space http://www.eslspace.com - TESOL Max http://www.tesolmax.com - Teacher LMS http://www.teacherlms.com