ISSN 1450-216X / 1450-202X Vol. 155 No 4 March, 2020, pp.463 - 468 http://www. europeanjournalofscientificresearch.com
Computers in Teaching English Language
Basmah Issa Ahmad AlSaleem TEFL Associate Professor, Language Center
The World Islamic Sciences and Education University, Amman-Jordan E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 00962777357737
Abstract
“Computer” is one of the most important technological achievements of our life at present, as it has spread its use in recent times in various fields of life due to its great potential and high efficiency in performance, which provided effort, time and costs in all areas used. One of these is the field of language teaching and learning. Computer is used in linguistic activity with multiple faces, summarized in three main pictures. Namely: general use, specific use, and specialized linguistic use. This paper tries to highlight the benefits and uses of computers in English Language classrooms. More over, it aims to raise the consciousness of the benefits of computer technology in enlightening instruction for both teachers and learners.
Keywords: Computer, learning languages, learning theories, communication.
1. Introduction
Since the seventh decade of the last century began the use of computers in the teaching and learning of languages, which is called computer-aided language learning Computer Aided (Language Learning (CALL ): This includes teaching language elements and skills in various forms, as well as designing, presenting and evaluating language tests[5].
Computer is used in language teaching in different ways, following are some examples of these uses;
1. Word processing: This type of software gives the learners of English Language the potential of writing and correcting mistakes [1].
2. Presentation of texts for explanations, group discussion and training (Program power point for example)[2].
3. Use of the Internet for various purposes, such as searching for information, obtaining copies of certain publications, searching lexicon, and accessing the blogs available on the Internet[3].
4. Translation: including: Machine translation or computer assisted translation machine / computer aided translation On the Internet or through software for personal computer use[4].
5. Reading programs written texts: where we benefit from several techniques including:
A. Identification of optical characters optical character recognition, which converts written texts into digital material.
B. Speech production or speech synthesis program speech synthesis to convert digital text to spoken speech.
6. Recognition of oral texts: It depends on the technique of speech recognition speech recognition (B) the execution of spoken commands, or (c) "understanding" in cases of oral inquiry, for
example, and the latter uses another technique, namely artificial intelligence technology artificial intelligence (AI)
2. Computer in Language Research
There are many areas where computers are used in purely linguistic or psychological language research. Perhaps the most prominent of them:
1. The use of speech synthesis in the studies of voice and psychological studies to identify the psychological features that benefit the human in the recognition of linguistic voices, and researchers use the program to synthesize speech (speech synthesizer), as well as in the presentation of texts at different speeds in the studies of the recognition of written texts, in psychological linguistics[1].
2. The linguistics of the blogs (corpus linguistics): Perhaps this field is the most important field in linguistic research in recent decades in which the computer plays a vital role in the development of linguistic research at various levels and in various fields[3].
3. Uses of database software (Data Base Management) (Access ):
Some blogs are an example of using databases. However, there are other examples for use in linguistic research, such as error analysis, using the database to classify errors according to their types, categories, level of learners, backgrounds and skills [6]. There is no doubt that there are many other uses of databases in linguistic research, in addition to their benefits in the lexicon[7].
3. Computational Linguistics:
Some researchers confuse this area with the previous field (linguistic research), due to similarities and overlapping between them. But it is desirable to differentiate between these two fields, the use of computer in the linguistic research does not necessarily require the knowledge of linguist computer programming, it is often called some writers in English ordinary working linguist (OWL), i.e, the ordinary linguist[5]. Computer linguistics combines linguistics and computer science (Computer programming specialization). Although a specialty in linguistics, it is mainly a computer activity based on linguistic information. However, this does not prevent the presence of some experienced linguists in computer programming. There is no doubt that any successful computer-based linguistic project should combine the computer and language backlinks, either in one researcher or with the cooperation of linguists and computer specialists[8].
It is known that specialists in computer linguistics are designing software called natural language processing natural language processing (NLP), Which include: machine translation, text comprehension, automatic reading, recognition of characters and sounds, automatic sound production, automatic spelling, spelling and grammatical analysis, contextual exposure concor dancer and other software needed by the researcher in the field of linguistics blogging.
It is worth mentioning that software understanding the texts or dialogue with the machine needs artificial intelligence techniques (Artificial Intelligence) (AI), a specialty also located in the field of computer science.
4. Computers in Language Learning
Computer in language learning particularly uses language skills, whether native language, foreign language, or so-called second language. Computer technology is used as an instructional tool to assist language learners to develop their language skills, thus complementing it with other teaching methods;
thus creating an active learning environment, linguistically rich [2] .
The use of computers in learning languages means using computer technology to provide, enhance, and evaluate the material to be learned by using the interactive computer features, its various
learning modes, and the Internet. It is no longer limited to traditional methods. Educational methods that were effective in the old days are not necessary to be useful in the age of information, technology and communications. Future education is likely to be based on e-learning based on the use of modern technologies such as computers, intranets and the Internet[9]. Therefore, only teacher-to-student transmission of information is no longer feasible. The focus now is on providing the student with new skills that do not stop at the point of imparting information and knowledge, but enable him to access information and qualify him to play a greater role in the educational process within the classroom so that the student becomes a real learner rather than a passive recipient[4].
5. The Beginnings of Computer in Language Learning
The use of computers began in the learning of languages in the 1960s, English language programs developed in the early 1980s, and the use of computer aids in teaching and learning languages in three stages [2]. The first stage began in the 1950s and was applied in the 1960s, and based on the theory of behavior that the computer has become the ideal tool for education, which considers the acquisition of language as a catalyst and response, the language "in the light of the behavioral theory is a part of human behavior. Language appears in its basic form in spoken language and therefore the process of speech is in the verbal position, a pre-event of events precedes the process of speech and is influential or exciting, and then the process of speech in response [2] . Computer-aided language applications in the 1960s and 1970s were called behavioral applications of computer aided language instruction. These applications were based on training, repetition.
The second phase began in the 70s, and continued during the 80s, and was based on the principles of communication theory. The reason for the spread of this theory is the criticism of the behavioral theory. The programs on which the theory of behavior depends on repetition, and thus lack of communication factor; The theory of communication on the student's use of language in realistic purposes, the student is evaluated based on giving him the answer, not through the mistakes he makes.
Many programs have been developed that rely on this theory in education, and they give some control, and freedom during learning[10].
When programs based on communication theory were criticized because of the lack of a clear and effective system for the use of computers in the development of approved modern educational programs that can replace traditional programs, programs have emerged based on the interaction between the student and the scientific material programmed on the computer. Based on the interactive media feature of the computer and the Internet; it can be used to form the third stage of computer use in teaching and learning languages[7].
Despite the advantages provided by the multimedia service, some problems still face the use of these programs in education, such as the teacher's lack of knowledge of the various skills and applications needed to produce and develop software, which may make the teacher adopt commercial programs that lack design standards Education based on modern theories in language teaching, and the production of its approved software[10].
The other problem is that there are no intelligent programs that can be fully relied upon to teach the language, such as educational dialogue programs; existing programs are used only to teach reading or listening skills but are not suitable for learning to write or speak. However; distance learning using the World Wide Web; helping to create rich environments for learning English and other languages.
Many researchers and educators working in the field of language teaching have called for the use of computer technology, many of whom have made use of their many potential in teaching and learning languages, and their application as an educational tool[3].On the other hand; many international universities have used the computer as an assistant in language teaching, learning it like Stanford University, which relied on it to teach linguistics, teach English as a second language, and teach foreign languages.
Language learning programs have been focused and learned in the early years of their use in the educational field on the approved software and training methods; to learn vocabulary, simple grammar.
With the development of computer technology, language learning and learning programs have evolved to become more effective. The development of multimedia technology has enhanced the ability of learners to acquire diverse language skills in an integrative manner that allows the learner to develop his or her linguistic skills through a variety of computer programs. The learner can develop several skills, or language arts such as listening, reading, grammatical, and morphological, etc. in an integrative form without mastering one skill, as well as the enormous potential through distance learning via the Internet. Internet, which invests in the development of, writing skills, e-mail and distance learning skills. This advanced technology creates classrooms to teach students no matter how far apart[5] as the largest library in the world, including books, research, databases, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and many others.
The importance of language in the information society, the computer-language relationship, the linguistic dimensions of the challenges of information technology that cannot be solved without recourse to computer technology, and the Internet that can invest an effective tool in enriching linguistic diversity through automatic translation, language learning and learning programs, multilingualism in information banks, support for cross-language studies and the completion of language infrastructures[6].
6. Advantages of Using Computers in Education
• It provides many useful effects that clearly contribute to the presentation of the content of the curriculum by engaging the colors and sounds and images and static and moving contrary to traditional teaching methods and methods used in education.
• The computer also distinguishes its ability to provide the scientific material in an orderly manner and at a level commensurate with the capabilities of students, so that the student or teacher to return the content again and again so that the student can understand and proficiency, which undoubtedly takes into account the important principle of growing interest in the recent principle individual differences in education[10].
• It is also necessary to use the computer in education, too, great ability to save time and effort, as evidenced by several studies conducted on this subject. Which in turn provides valuable additional time for the teacher and the student. There is no doubt that the excess time provided by the computer may contribute significantly to the service of the student in the classroom if it is useful to enrich the educational process [11].
The advantages of using computers and the Internet in language education are to improve students' academic achievement; it helps students to enhance language skills by communicating with other students and teachers; to learn foreign languages through distance learning. And provide students with an incentive for self-learning in a more independent way. This helps to enhance their self- confidence, develop their expertise and knowledge by addressing vast amounts of information with different human experiences; through the electronic library including databases, dictionaries, references, and others. As well as the diversity of sources of learning for the student is not only the book is the source of learning, and thus vary the experiences of the student[9].
It can be used in training students to learn the basics of language in a step-by-step, simple step- by-step, vocabulary learning, and sentence structure with the help of interactive elements such as sound, image, film, interactive video, to learn modern languages in the world's famous universities, which teach different languages.
7. The Need to Use Computers in Education
There are many reasons that led to the need to use computers in education as follows:
1. The explosion of knowledge and the flow of information is a necessity where this era is called the era of information revolution.
2. The need for speed in the information age, making the human need to deal with this vast amount of information.
3. Finding solutions to the problems of learning difficulties facing learners has become an urgent need.
4. Improving future job opportunities by preparing students for a world of advanced technology.
8. Areas of Computer Use in Language Teaching
Computers are used to improve the four language skills:8.1. Reading Skill:
A. Comprehension: Some software is disabled so that text appears on the screen, followed by questions of type fill the void, right or wrong, or multiple choice, or ask about the meaning of a word of text, or type of word [1].
B. Word processing: such as demanding the rearrangement of a sentence of text has been arranged at random, or the presentation of a text has been deleted from it. Some words and desired words are chosen from a list that may appear on the screen.
C. The speed of reading, using special software uses the timing element, giving the learner the opportunity to control the speed he wants.
8.2. Writing Skill:
The use of word processing programs in writing, which gives the learner the freedom to deal with the text such as immediate correction and spelling and translation, the use of different types of font and save pages, and the possibility of modifying words and change and coordination, and control the paragraphs and the distance between the lines and the number of lines in the paper. The process of storage allows the writer to re-browse the written text and modify it [6]. And all this improves the student's performance in the expression and construction, and makes it more accurate in spelling and writing. There are many programs that help students, especially in the basic stages of writing the hottest in the various forms, where you draw the character on the screen and then the learner imitate it on the paper, or on the screen using a pencil. The learner can repeat the attempt repeatedly and without infringing on the time of others, without fear or shame of the slow or wrong[6] .
8.3. Listening
Listening is a process of one's awareness and attention. The linguistic and artistic taste needs sound that speaks correctly according to the output of the sounds and taking into account the correct tone. The correct tone carries the meaning and the tone that gives the language of its name. Actually; there are many ways through which the computer can develop the skill of listening:
Recognize sounds: The distinction between voices and exits characters is a prerequisite for the practice of correct pronunciation, effective listening comprehension. There are programs that allow the student to listen to vocabulary and then asked him to identify the word that he believes he heard through multiple-choice questions. Using computers in listening skill allows learners to re-listen many times. And provide feedback through their marks and the mistakes they made[5].
Pronunciation and toning: There are computer programs for language laboratories that allow the learner to recognize sounds and then practice pronunciation and toning through exercises for listening and repetition using digital speech technology. The word is heard through the microphone and converts the sound into a digital format and stored on a disk. In the toning training process, the learner is allowed to say a word through the microphone and the computer draws a diagram of it and compares it to a stored graph for that phrase and the learner sees the difference between the planners[2].
8.4. Speaking
The learner will have a chance to listen to various dialogues of many people on several topics and learn how to ask the questions of others in certain situations, and how to answer them. The Internet also offers sites for training speaking with students from different countries voice and images and discuss different topics[8].
9. Conclusion
This paper has endeavored to designate the benefits of using computer in teaching English Language.
Consciousness of the benefits of computer technology in enlightening instruction has some inferences for both teachers and learners. Teachers should be suitably trained in the correct use of computer for teaching language skills. Teachers should obtain training phases towards computer to teach English Language successfully. Teachers should willingly take part in these phases because it will increase their confidence towards using computer in their classrooms. Teachers should be afforded with enough computers, appropriate time, and technical support in order to amplify the quality of their language teaching. Teachers should know that their responsibility is to help their learners, simplify their learning process, not to give learners everything they need while using computer for their own learning.
Teachers should also know that it is teaching approach, not computer technology that regulates the effect of teaching and learning English Language. Using computer in English classes makes teaching environment more efficient for teachers and the learning process more gratifying for learners.
To sum up; computer can play a useful part in the language class only if the teacher first asks: What is it that I want my students to learn today, and what is the best way for them to learn it? In most cases, the answer will probably not involve the computer, but there will be occasions when the computer is the most suitable and, for the students, most enjoyable way to get the job done.
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