El Aprendizaje de Lenguas Extranjeras y El Aprendizaje de Lenguas Extranjeras y las Tecnologías de la Informaciónlas Tecnologías de la Información

ICT (Information and Communication Technology)ICT (Information and Communication Technology)by Ana Armendáriz and Carolina Ruiz Montaniby Ana Armendáriz and Carolina Ruiz Montani

ICT provides:ICT provides: Linguistic and communicative contextsLinguistic and communicative contexts Interaction among native and non-native speakersInteraction among native and non-native speakers Meaningful inputMeaningful input Negotiation of meaningNegotiation of meaning Attention on behalf of the learner -> form & meaningAttention on behalf of the learner -> form & meaning

All these aspects contribute to the development of the target language and are influenced by learners’ personal interests and

motivation.

ICT enlarges students’ productions and intercultural consciousness

seem to be more coherent, accurately expressed and suitably managed in connection to communicative functions

Reading comprehension, Writing and Oral Skills can be put into practice thanks to Technology

What does Technology provide us? What does Technology provide us?

According to Liu et al. multimedia provides activities suitable for every learning styleAccording to Liu et al. multimedia provides activities suitable for every learning style

As regards the development of the macro-ability of reading, great effort has been As regards the development of the macro-ability of reading, great effort has been placed on the usage of synonyms, paraphrasing and the learning of vocabularyplaced on the usage of synonyms, paraphrasing and the learning of vocabulary

E-mails decrease the level of anxiety and increase motivation, interest and E-mails decrease the level of anxiety and increase motivation, interest and participationparticipation

ICTs enable students –even those who are really young- to reflect upon their linguistic ICTs enable students –even those who are really young- to reflect upon their linguistic andand

communicative strategies and therefore monitor the development of their languagecommunicative strategies and therefore monitor the development of their language

The learning of e-lective languagesThe learning of e-lective languages(Cummins, 1998)(Cummins, 1998)

- the prefix - the prefix e-e- shows an electronic format shows an electronic format

- the root - the root lectlect from the Latin from the Latin legerelegere, “leer”, “leer”

- the term elective alludes to the options that the learner has within the system- the term elective alludes to the options that the learner has within the system

This approach focuses on the INPUT as a source of learningThis approach focuses on the INPUT as a source of learninge.g.: dictionaries for L1 and L2 in CD-Rom formate.g.: dictionaries for L1 and L2 in CD-Rom format

clicking on words to get:clicking on words to get:

º definitions in L2 º translations to L1 º pronunciation º grammatical information º definitions in L2 º translations to L1 º pronunciation º grammatical information

º useful idiomatic expressionsº useful idiomatic expressions

The approach is based on the following premises:The approach is based on the following premises:1.1. Comprehensible input in the target language is neededComprehensible input in the target language is needed

2.2. Formal approaches are not effectiveFormal approaches are not effective

3.3. Access to meaning is highly relevantAccess to meaning is highly relevant

Online Learning with a Teacher as a Online Learning with a Teacher as a ModeratorModerator

ICTs are means to incorporate contents, acquire knowledge and develop skills ICTs are means to incorporate contents, acquire knowledge and develop skills using the incorporated concepts within a virtual context -> positive impact on using the incorporated concepts within a virtual context -> positive impact on the learning of foreign languagesthe learning of foreign languages

OLTM implies the virtual meeting of a learner and a teacher to fulfil specific OLTM implies the virtual meeting of a learner and a teacher to fulfil specific taskstasks

Virtual meetings may happen:Virtual meetings may happen:- after a classroom lessonafter a classroom lesson- throughout a long distance coursethroughout a long distance course- during e-learning or via Internetduring e-learning or via Internet- via online chattingvia online chatting- via Internet forumvia Internet forum- through e-mail (non-synchronized)through e-mail (non-synchronized)

What is a moderating teacher or e-moderator? Salmon (2000) defines the moderating teacher in five stages:

Stage Moderator/Administrator Learners

1 Welcomes students and encourages them to participate.

Get into the conference individually

2 Helps students get familiarized with virtual environment and overcome difficulties

Build up virtual identity and look for people to interact

3 (S)He is a facilitator in the resolution of tasks and the use of available material

Exchange relevant information as regards the course and they

cooperate with each other

4 Collaborates in the conference process Discussions are collaborative interactions

5 Gives support, answers questions, offers help outside the virtual environment

Look for benefits in the system and integrate extra knowledge and reflection to the process

Success or failure of the communication depends on the good understanding within the participants and the development of a sense of identity and belonging to the group.

What is an Internet Forum?

An electronic debate group that can be moderated or not by a tutor or electronic administrator Contrary to e-mails, it doesn’t get to students, it requires them to contact the forum -> enables

independent learning, promotes active participation, makes them decide what to read, when to discuss, etc.

Replaces face-to-face communication but triggers a new way of interaction by means of electronic discourse, which combines both written and oral language

Tools derived from virtual classrooms:- Topic: makes reference to the main conversation topic- Back to…: gets participants to a previous instance

Styles and Ways of Learning

Each student has his/her own learning style based on the way in which he/she processes

information, i.e., the way he/she thinks, memorizes or solves problematic situations.

This is a personal characteristic which shows a tendency to behave in a certain way.

When we learn a foreign language we get different kinds of exposure (recordings, articles, etc.) which are accumulated and after being processed for several times they turn into new acquired knowledge.

Electronic Moderation seeks for even more benefits, integrates other means of learning and reflects

about the process. This is also multiple exposition.

Discourse in Electronic Mails

• As regards foreign languages, discourse in e-mails might be similar

to a traditional mail or have its own characteristics

• Based on studies, the more students know about technology,

the more their discourse differs from a traditional mail

• E-mails also share characteristics with telephone conversations in the sense of respect

for each others’ turns and the speed in which writers and speakers answer

• Oral spontaneity is put into practice from the moment one does not check or gives a

second reading to his message; correctness or appropriateness of tone might not be checked

• There should be no room for misunderstandings as regards

tone or intonation because messages should be read literally

Internet Chat

Characteristics: Voice or written Identity or Anonymous Communication –main reason Passive or Active Speed -fast Brief exchanged Turns of conversation Specific language –sense of belonging

As contrary to e-mails, Internet chat does not allow us to reflect upon the interactions because of its speed and spontaneity. One of the

consequences are the spelling mistakes; people have to answer fast so they make several errors, use unconventional words and they are accepted

Possible Solution: Let’s start correcting those mistakes so as not to distort the language!

END OF PRESENTATION…

… let us now enjoy the wonderful world behind all these

technologies!!!

Valeria Sol Levin