CALL: Using Internet for Effective Language Learning

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CALL Using Internet for Effective Language
Learning

• Anelly Kremenska
• University of Sofia 2006

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Situation

• Advance in technology

New opportunities for increasing efficiency of
language learning
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Focus

• The Internet features employed for language
  learning
• Access to information
• Opportunities for communication

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Access to information

• Vast variety of authentic texts
• Instant access to many sources
• Affordable and convenient

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Communication

• Real life to practice the language
• For instruction with the teacher / peers

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Problem

• Availability does not lead to language learning
  by itself

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Solution

• Design and pilot a Project-Based CALL course,
  using the Internet
• Evaluate course efficiency

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Background

• Students of Informatics (computer skills, overall
  high level of proficiency in English)
• Large mix-ability groups

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Significance

• No language course at SU provides such
  environment
• Applicability to other teaching situations due to
  combination of available equipment and shared
  student competence

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The course aims

• (Student-centred approach)
• To combine the students computer skills with
  their language study
• To make them aware of the possibilities to use
  Internet for LL
• To motivate them
• To make them autonomous LL

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Course indicative content

• Reliability of WWW as a source
• Using terminology making glossaries
• Academic writing assignments, format, plagiarism
• Assessment class participation, an assignment,
  and presentation

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Course design

• The Internet as a source
• The Internet as a medium
• The Internet for instruction

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Internet source

• Authentic texts, a pool of up-to-date information
  available at just a click
• Task Critical evaluation of texts to choose
  source for an assignment
• Task compiling a glossary
• Task reading and listening comprehension on a
  topic from different sites

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Internet source

• For vocational purposes information on how to
• Prepare a CV
• Write a Cover Letter
• Write a Resume
• Write a Letter of Recommendation
• Prepare for interview

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Internet communication

• Asynchronous (virtual classrooms based on the
  Nicenet environment)
• Message boards
• Comments on a topic from the discussions
• E-mails assignments, assessment

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Internet instruction

• A web-site designed to provide instructions and
  information about
• Course aim, structure, schedule
• Assignment requirements and guidance
• Links to the virtual classrooms
• Links to the students sites

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Evaluation course efficiency

• Student evaluation
• Summative
• Cross-sectional
• Qualitative

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Instrument

• A paper-based questionnaire
• Bio-data questions
• Closed questions measuring attitudes (Likerts
  scale, Osgoods Method of Semantic Differential)
• An open question eliciting suggestions on course
  improvement

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Analysis 1

• Speaking and academic writing skills well
  developed
• Good balance between difficulty and gaining
• Fair assessment
• Clear, relevant and available information about
  the course

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Analysis 2

• Suggestions elicited
• Working without course books
• More discussions
• Use of computers during the classes
• Use of web-based evaluation

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Conclusion

• The introduction of CALL improved the course
  quality by providing up-to-date sources of
  information, an environment for interaction and
  instruction

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Future work

• Use Moodle
• Computer assisted assessment
• (adaptive tests?)
• Collecting feedback on-line

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• Thank you for your attention!
• Your questions are welcome ?