Technology-enhanced+language+learning

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=What is T.E.L.L?=

(TELL) or Technology-enhanced language learning deals with the impact of technology on teaching and learning a second langauage also called the L2. Technology-enhanced language learning refers to the use of the computer as a technological innovation to display multimedia as a means of complementing a teaching method langauge teachers. What's important to note is that TELL is not a teaching method but rather an approach that can be used alongside a teaching method to help teach.

TELL is very supportive of Computer Mediated Communication (CMC). CMC has been researched and supported as being very useful to helping students speak and write in a foreign language which is important to teaching process using TELL.

"The process can be described as effectively bridiging the gap between written and oral expression for the linguistically limited student whose oral skills are not adequate to allow for full expression of ideas in the target language. By slowing down th eprocess of communication and allowin the students to reflect and compose a message (similar to an "utterance"), electronic interaction in the classroom encourages student use of the target language." (Bush and Terry 1997, 167)

=History=

Early Stage
T.E.L.L was first known as //**CAI - Computer Assisted Instruction**// and/or //**CALL- Computer Assisted Language Learning**// during the early 1970s. CAI/CALL was not used heavily by educational institutions because instructors were hesistant to adopt new technology in their houselhold let alone in the classroom. Instructors of the 1970s shared a similar view on computers as being machines of obstruction and a machines with no place in the classrooms. In 1978-1979, Dr.Solveig Olsen from the the Department of Foreign Languages & Literature of UNT conducted a survey on CAI/CALL asking langauge departments if they would introduce CAI/CALL by 1980, Solveig got answers like:

"Don't do it. It is a very stupid idea. Language is a living thing. You must really be desperate to think of anything so dumb." (Solveig 1980, 341) and "CAI is a waste of time, energy and money that should be used to buy library books." (Solveig 1980, 344)

Integration Stage
In the 1980s as a result of a booming increase in computer sales from 724,000 units in 1980 to 2.8 million units the computer was chosen as "Man of theYear" by //Time// magazine. Then in 1994, 48.5 million PCs were sold (Bush and Terry 1997, 12-13), which meant that computers were being adopted by the population. This technological boom and the digitalizing of mass amounts of content created a large impact on society. As a result educational institutions began to follow trends and adopted technology into the educational environment. CAI/CALL was then transformed into TELL and teachers began to integrate technological orientated activities geared at improving and facilitating the teaching process of a second langauge into their teaching mehod.

=Advantages of TELL=


 * Using TELL provides a lot more flexibility and caters to more learning styles of the langauge learners compared to traditional styles of teaching.
 * TELL can be used alongside textbooks for a much more in depth learning experience
 * TELL turns the classroom into a student centred environment. Students can:
 * //**Select order in which material is presented to them**// (ex. grammar program first and vocabulary building game last)
 * //**Control the material presented to them** (//ex. Visit the Coliseum in Rome, Italy on CD-ROM or learn about the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy)
 * //**Control the pace of progress** (//ex. students can work through level 1 & 2 on grammar today and then level 1 on vocabulary the following day)
 * note:** instructions used in the software are all in the target langauge being learned, this helps students develop vocabulary, comprehension, spelling and even pronunciation for software that includes voice. Not only do students learn about the langauge but students also learn about the culture which is very important in language learning for meaningful communication and proper acquisition.


 * TELL improves motivation and develops better attitudes in students towards learning. "[...] the research indicates that students' attitudes and motivation tend to be better if they have control over their learning and that some students do learn more if given the opportunity to control the amount and sequence of their work." (Bush and Terry 1997, 8)
 * Learning is not confined to the area within the classroom, environment is enlargened. Students can learn about langauge at home and practice language in class.

=Disadvantages of TELL=


 * Cost of technology
 * Cost of training
 * Cost of media
 * Teacher or instructor must be comforatble with using technology
 * Technology not 100% fault proof
 * Access issues outside the classroom (see also Digital Divide)
 * Problem of too much work done by the computer. The langauge student must not rely entirely on the help system of langauge software to guide them htrough exercises but must make conscious effort to attempt exercises for a better learning experience.

=Main types of media using TELL=

Sound (audio)

 * radio broadcasts
 * recorded playback of speeches
 * recorded storytelling

Films (video + audio)

 * short films
 * interviews
 * full length full feature movies

Images/Graphics

 * charts
 * paintings
 * photos

Text

 * essays
 * journals
 * articles
 * email
 * chatting
 * books

Examples of Activities using TELL

 * **Type of Activity** || **Individual?** || **Group?** || **Areas of langauge learning** ||
 * Dialogue (Audio) || No || Yes || Pronunciation, vocabulary, context ||
 * Audio recording playback(Audio) || Yes || Yes || Pronunciation, vocabulary, context, comprehension ||
 * Film (video) || Yes || Yes || Nonverbal communication, pronunciation, context, vocabulary ||
 * Online Journal (text) || Yes || Yes || reading, writing, syntax, spelling, vocabulary, context, comprehension ||

See also Technology Enhancing Communication

=References=

Bush, Michael D. and Robert M. Terry. __"Technology-Enhanced Language Learning".__ Chicago: National Textbook Company NTC Publishing Group. 1997

Solveig, Olsen. __"Foreign Language Departments and Computer-Assisted Instruction: A survey."__ Modern Language Journal 64. 1980, 3:341-349

Solveig, Olsen. __"Computer Assisted Instruction and Humanities."__ New York: Modern Language Association, 1985