Computer Assisted Language Learning

(CALL)

University of Jordan
Faculty of Foreign Languages
Department of Linguistics

Done by: Yaqout

Yassin
ID: 0132372
Professor: Tasnim
Niami
CALL research

Computer Assisted Language Learning

(CALL)

Fall 2016

Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL)

The term Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) became

established in language education in the early 1980s (Chapelle, 2001). May
be defined as the search for and study of applications of the computer in
language teaching and learning as Levy.M (1997.p1). As we can conclude
from the previous definition CALL includes how we can use different types of
applications in facilitating the language learning for the second language
students. Also, how we can improve our mastery of spoken and written
English and other skills through modern applications.
It is also worth mentioning that CALL facilitates the language learning
process and improves language skills in many ways such as, engaging
students in the classroom through exercises and quizzes created by the
teacher. Also, teacher can explain the lessons by using videos, the lesson will
be more interesting and attractive for students with pictures, colors, sounds,
and weak students can play if more times to understand. Moreover, it helps
students to improve their pronunciation through online dictionaries and videos.
Furthermore, there are a lot of programs and applications which match the
different levels of the students (It offers different levels, and determines your
level and asks you questions depend on that). Likewise, you can use

Computer Assisted Language Learning

(CALL)
technology to improve your speaking skill (oral interaction) by speaking with
native speakers through visible conferences or Skype, but if you are a shy
person, you can use chat programs without seeing the party you are
addressing. Besides, students have the chance to communicate with each
other and with their teacher and spend more time in language learning
through online classroom.

Technology has developed rapidly with the appearance of the internet. It

achieved great and significant progress in teaching field. Nowadays, most of the
applications and programs depend on connection with the internet to work
successfully. It becomes an essential part of teaching processes.

There are a lot of advantages achieved by using technology in language learning

which make the teaching process more interesting and exciting inside and outside the
classroom. It works to improve the performance of the students in different skills.
Language teacher can use technology in different ways such as;

1. Creating an online classroom.

They can create an online classroom on Edmodo or Schoology and add their
students in it. Through the online classroom teachers can download all the materials
they are given for those students who missed any class or for students who want to
prepare lessons before the class and have an idea about what they are going to take.
Moreover, they can open discussions and let their students join by comment on the
post in order to spend more time in communication in the second language. Also, they
can give immediate feedback.

Computer Assisted Language Learning

(CALL)

2. Creating online quizzes

They can give their students online quizzes by using many applications like,
Quizlet, Google form or Kahoot to test their understanding.
3. Learning and practicing the language with people around the world.
Students and non-students can use different websites and application to learn
and practice the language with people around the world. Also, you can improve your
writing skills through the groups which are created for this purpose. All members in
these groups have to chat, comment, and communicate in the second language.

4. Looking for about information becomes so easy and simple.

Internet makes searching about information an easy process, so you can search
for any information you need or want within a short time and without making an
effort.

5. Facilitating distance education

CALL facilitates distance education for students who cannot be present in the
classroom, so they can attend the class online wherever they are, receive the same
information as they are attending the class, and have the chance to ask any questions
they want.

6. Facilitating autonomous learning.

CALL offers a number of simple applications which can help you to learn by
yourself with saving your time and money.

Computer Assisted Language Learning

(CALL)
There are a lot of applications that help us in language learning such as;
YouTube
YouTube is the most common tech tool for watching videos. It is free and you
can use it anytime and from any place on your mobile phone, laptop, iPod or any
other devices connected with the internet. It includes a lot of useful channels with
many benefits. Most of these channels are free, so you can subscribe to receive any
new video. Educational videos given and explained by specialist people (faculty
members) in teaching in different majors and you can communicate with them if you
have any question. Most of them are native speakers of the language you want to
learn, you can listen to them in order to improve your listening and speaking skills.
These channels present interesting and attractive pictures, colors and sounds to attract
the users attention, and motivate them. You can memorize countless number of
vocabularies through songs and programs presented in the channels. In addition to
that, you can express your opinion and comment on any video you like or dislike.
When you look for a specific subject the, YouTube will present all the videos related
to the subject you want, so that will save your time and effort.
Kahoot
Kahoot is a learning tool using to create exciting, special and unique
quizzes to make fun environment in the classroom. It is free, easy, simple
and does not need an advanced and previous experience in technology. You
can create Kahoot or choose any one from millions which is ready to play. It is
made from a number of multiple choice questions with adding videos, photos,
and diagrams to your questions to motivate the players. It is a synchronous
of interaction depending on the social network, so all players play at the same

Computer Assisted Language Learning

(CALL)
time, it is better to play in groups, like classroom. The teacher will display the
questions on the screen and the students have to use their devices to answer
them. The names of the students who answered the questions correctly will
present on the screen in order. That will let the students compete to win in
order take the first place and the winners will be awarded. You can play with
people at the same room or people from the other side of world from different
countries. It offers more than 180 languages.

Disadvantages of CALL
Although it has many advantages, CALL still has some limitations which
can obstruct applying it in some schools such as;

1. High cost
CALL requires a number of devices and programs for language teaching which
depend on the internet to work successfully so that will be expensive and hard for
low-budget school to provide suitable devices for using technology.
2. The need of trained teachers
It is necessary to get a sufficient training for using programs and devices for
both teachers and learners to be familiar with it in order to assist language learning.

3. Imperfect of CALL programs

Most of the programs on the computer or the internet still imperfect. These
programs cannot deal with student's weakness or improve them.

Computer Assisted Language Learning

(CALL)
Lai, C.-C., & Kritsonis, W. A. (2006)
Conclusion
To sum this up, the advantages of CALL can be outlined
as creating an online classroom and online quizzes, learning and practicing the
language with people around the world, facilitating searching, distance education, and
autonomous learning. In addition to some limitations such as high cost, lack of trained
teachers and imperfect current CALL programs.
As we have seen above the advantages of CALL are more than its
disadvantages. With technology, we can achieve enormous progress in
language learning, and we can overcome these obstacles which face using
CALL with making extra efforts by government, teachers, and students.
Government can help by providing financial support to buy hardware,
software, other devices, and by holding training sessions for teachers in the
educational institutions. Teachers and students should make extra efforts by
receiving appropriate training and preparing before each class to reach the
fundamental aim of language learning process.

Computer Assisted Language Learning

(CALL)

References
*, N. (2015, April 22). The promise and challenge of technology in language
learning. Retrieved December 17, 2016, from Africa,
http://monitor.icef.com/2015/04/the-promise-and-challenge-of-technology-inlanguage-learning/
Beatty, K. (2013). Teaching & researching: Computer-assisted language
learning. Retrieved from https://books.google.jo/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=S6WsAgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=the+definition+of+comp
uter+assisted+language+learning&ots=dfPHpgcSyn&sig=lGzkVPGQKDNQG9
hvVPvbmnA_7Ck&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=the%20definition%20of
%20computer%20assisted%20language%20learning&f=false
GETTING STARTED WITH. . Retrieved from
https://getkahoot.com/tutorials/Kahoot_Tutorials.pdf
Hamad, M. (2015, December 13). Tag archives: Advantages of Kahoot.
Retrieved December 16, 2016, from http://edutechsage.com/tag/advantagesof-kahoot/
Lai, C.-C., & Kritsonis, W. A. (2006). The advantages and disadvantages of
computer technology in Second language acquisition PhD program student in
educational leadership prairie view A&M university. Retrieved from
http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED492159.pdf
Levy, M. (1997). Computer-assisted language learning: Context and
conceptualization. Retrieved from https://books.google.jo/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=RRGgrjteVjUC&oi=fnd&pg=PR8&dq=computer+assisted+langu
age+learning+meaning&ots=8q9dF4pzt7&sig=urVrHDWRc4jvRQGMzQOnVS

Computer Assisted Language Learning

(CALL)
73KJs&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=computer%20assisted%20language
%20learning%20meaning&f=false
Motteram, G. (2013, September 18). About the voices magazine. Retrieved
December 17, 2016, from https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/thebenefits-new-technology-language-learning
Ramasubbu, S. (2015, June 2). How technology can help language
learning. Huffington Post. Retrieved from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suren-ramasubbu/how-technology-can-helpl_b_7489002.html
Technology and Second language learning. Retrieved December 16, 2016,
from http://www.education.uci.edu/person/warschauer_m/tslt.html
Williams, M. (2014a, May 12). Is technology a silver bullet for language
teaching and learning? The Guardian. Retrieved from
https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacherblog/2014/may/12/technology-language-teaching-learning-pedagogy
Williams, M. (2014b, May 12). Is technology a silver bullet for language
teaching and learning? The Guardian. Retrieved from
https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacherblog/2014/may/12/technology-language-teaching-learning-pedagogy
Zesty, S., design, W., & development, website. (2011, June 7). Blog Retrieved
from https://www.simplyzesty.com/blog/article/june-2011/20-great-youtubefeatures-and-tricks-you-need-to-know