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LANGUAGE AND COMPUTERS ASSIGNMENT

The document discusses the evolution of technology-assisted language learning (TALL) in teaching English, highlighting its benefits for young learners, particularly in Saudi Arabia. It emphasizes the need for improved teacher training to effectively integrate technology into English language education, as current efforts have shown slow progress in student outcomes. The conclusion advocates for a comprehensive approach to teacher training that focuses on creating interactive learning experiences using technology to enhance student engagement and learning.

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4 views

LANGUAGE AND COMPUTERS ASSIGNMENT

The document discusses the evolution of technology-assisted language learning (TALL) in teaching English, highlighting its benefits for young learners, particularly in Saudi Arabia. It emphasizes the need for improved teacher training to effectively integrate technology into English language education, as current efforts have shown slow progress in student outcomes. The conclusion advocates for a comprehensive approach to teacher training that focuses on creating interactive learning experiences using technology to enhance student engagement and learning.

Uploaded by

softmous
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Student’s name

Faris Alharthi

Student’s number

2500405

Supervisor name

Prof. Grami Grami

Introduction

Using computer software to teach English language has been interesting in the last
two decades for educators especially English teachers who trying to find a valid and
effective method to deliver the language to the students by making them more
exposed to the language and more involved in practicing it between them. At the
beginning software was limited to simple programs that focus on exercises where the
learner would be able to listen and repeat words or phrases.

Well, the arrival of internet services revolutionized language Teaching and learning.
After that teachers and students were able to be engaged in online classrooms where
language can be presented and practiced more interactively supported by new tools
and materials like office applications, whiteboards interactive board, videos websites
such as YouTube which led to a new approach in learning called “Blended learning
approach.

In the last decades and with rapid advances in technology especially in smartphone
applications that were dedicated for EL Learning Like Duolingo and Babble. Learning
English become more fun and enjoyable due to gamification activities and easy
accessibility. Nowadays with the arising AI powered systems which offer great
opportunities not just for teaching and learning EL as well but also to understand and
explain what the most effective ways are to enhance EL learning and teaching.

Using technology to teach EL for young learners in primary schools

A study made in China by (Haq, 2023) investigating why students in poor


environments and country sides shows less motivation to learn EL. The study claimed
the reason behind that is absence of technology and its benefits to enhance their
motivation and learning outcomes.

In general, young learners find themselves more attracted to technology assisted


language learning (TALL) software because of the presence of games, songs, chants
videos and instant feedback exercises, elements like these would capture their
attention based on their curious nature. Also (TALL) software like online classroom
provides them with more comfortable medium without hesitation to participate, not
fearing to make mistakes in front of their peers leading them to be more engaged in
Language practicing and building their confidence (An, Wang, Li, Gan, 2021)

TALL in KSA:

Teaching English language in Saudi Arabia as a foreign language (EFL) that means
outside classroom Arabic language is entirely dominant, so Saudi students are less
exposed to EL. According to many studies, student graduated from high school with
limited EL skills (Al resheed , Raiker, Carmichael, 2017).

While TALL software can support the students learning EL outside the classrooms,
(Alrasheed, 2017) suggested that employing technology in teaching EL would address
teaching difficulties inside classrooms.

In 2005 ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia launched “Tatweer” project. This


project aimed to develop technology infrastructure in schools by providing them with
technological devices for students and teachers. One of (Tatweer) project branches
was developing teaching English language called English language development
project (ELDP) (Aljameel,2022). Despite these efforts to evolve EL learning and
teaching, there is a slowly progression in learners’ outcomes due to many factors like
the ratio between numbers of English teachers and numbers of students, also using
these available technologies in teaching required well trained teachers to deal with
them. (Iman Aljameel, 2022) recommended more technology training to facilitate
technology integration in teaching EL and thus will enhance the teachers’ confidence
and proficiency level and its advantage to raise the teachers’ awareness of its benefits.

While using technology to teach kids is well proven to enhance their motivation most
teachers lack the digital competence to use it, though they are aware of its necessity
(spiteri ,chang Rudgren ,2020) suggesting more training is needed for teachers to deal
with digital technology in a way that students can benefit from it.

Conclusion:

To improve teaching EL methodologies In Saudi Arabia, implementing technology in


education is fundamental as it viewed by Saudi 2030 vision, and because it is
connected to technology, this would lay a ground for further improvement, not just for
teaching methods but also in teachers training and how to benefit from technology. As
a teacher who experienced these backward and forward regression for 17 years, I
suggest that training teachers must reach a higher level ,not just for planning lessons
and managing classroom and using computers but instead to train them how to design
interactive lessons and platforms where the lesson can be presented as simulated real
life situation, where students can watch, listen, read, write, speak and be more
involved in this learning environment by employing activities, games, conversations
with their peers, responding either by writing or speaking to instructions in the lesson
to proceed to the next activity related to the topic. Also, their performance could be
evaluated, and feedback could be provided. In another word a lesson will become an
experience to learn from. Creating these types of lessons lead to establishing good
quality lessons library related to the textbooks in KSA which can be distributed
among teachers taking into consideration their makers ownership and copyright.

References:

1- Haq, I. U. (2023). Impact of Augmented reality system on elementary school


ESL learners in countryside of China: Motivations, achievements, behaviors
and cognitive attainment. arXiv preprint arXiv:2309.09894.
2- An, Z., Wang, C., Li, S., Gan, Z., & Li, H. (2021). Technology-assisted self-
regulated English language learning: Associations with English language self-
efficacy, English enjoyment, and learning outcomes. Frontiers in psychology,
11, 558466.
3- Alresheed, S., Raiker, A., & Carmichael, P. (2017). Integrating computer-
assisted language in Saudi schools: A change model. Turkish Online Journal of
Educational Technology, 369-380. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33808-
8_22
4- Aljameel, I. H. (2022). Computer-Assisted Language Learning in Saudi
Arabia: Past, Present, and Future. International Education Studies, 15(4), 95-
107.
5- Spiteri, M., & Chang Rundgren, S. N. (2020). Literature review on the factors
affecting primary teachers’ use of digital technology. Technology, Knowledge
and Learning, 25(1), 115-128.

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