The Global Journal of English Studies I February 2016 I Volume II, Issue I ISSN : 2395 4795

The Global Journal of English Studies I February 2016 I Volume II, Issue I ISSN : 2395 4795

The Global Journal of English Studies I May 2015 I Vol. 1, Issue 1 I ISSN : 2395 4795

Technology for Teaching English Language

Meera Patel

Assistant Professor Shroff S R Rotary Institute of Chemical Technology

Vataria, Ankleshwar. Gujarat, INDIA.

Abstract

This paper elucidates use of technology in teaching English. It gives information about how English has been

taught as second language in schools. It explains need of changing style of teaching English to cop up with 21st

century’s need. Nowadays Terms ‘e- learning’ or ‘Technology in Education’ are in fashion in the educational field.

The paper states how to use technology to enhance comprehension level of students while teaching English. The

paper proposes ways to include technology to smoothen the pedagogy.

Keywords : Technology, teaching English, virtual equipments, comprehension skill

The Global Journal of English Studies I February 2016 I Volume II, Issue I ISSN : 2395 4795

Introduction

As technology is omnipresent, today’s world has become more virtual than real. Previously black board

and chalk sticks were the identity of a teacher. Later in the 20th

century, projectors were used to teach.

Teachers used to make presentations on digital screen through projector which was the first step towards

technology for pedagogical purpose. To cater the learners’ need it is very necessary to cop up with the

modern trends. In 21st century, technology is ubiquitous. Contemporary learners understand easily if they

are taught through technology. Most of the technological equipments offer English as a medium of

instruction. So it is very necessary to learn English if person wants to use technology.

English in Traditional Classroom

In traditional classroom, English as a second language is taught mainly by Grammar Translation method.

Learners are supposed to memories rules of grammar to use language. Teacher translates the lesson in

mother tongue. Students also comprehend the lesson in mother tongue. They use guide- ‘a very famous

book published by Navneet publication which offers all solutions and answers’ to complete the exercises.

It also offers translation in mother tongue of all the lessons. Even for Exam, only writing skill is assessed

in exams. Students mechanically produce what they have memorized. They miserably fail to produce

English on their own.

Technology to Teach English

“Technology in Pedagogy” has become a drone word in the field of education. Today classroom culture is

completely different from the 5 years previous classroom culture. Previously students were nor very much

familiar with technology and modern equipments. They were dependant on books and teacher only.

However, today scenario has changed. Nowadays students are surrounded with technology. They use

mobile phone, computer, video games, television etc as a part of their daily activity. These are the sources

of English language as most of the gadgets offer English as a medium of instruction. 21st century learners

do not only focus on grammar of English. Curriculum is designed in a way that it not only includes

grammar but also focuses on skills of English language. English language has four skills i.e. Listening,

Speaking, Reading, And Writing.

Computer

Computer is the first technological tool in the world of pedagogy. It leads traditional teaching to ‘e

teaching’. Computer can aid learner to improve all four skills. The use of computers in listening problems

The Global Journal of English Studies I February 2016 I Volume II, Issue I ISSN : 2395 4795

provides students with visual and voice inputs which can enhance

their information and ideas, and develop their listening skills (Hoven, 1999). It also improves writing

skills as it shows correct spelling immediately if student is writing wrong spelling. Learners can store

many things in computers for reading as well. It shows color copy which attracts students rather than

black and white book. Learners can highlight points or can make much more attractive by using MS

Word features. Nowadays software is also available which gives speaking practice and also gives

listening sources. Many colleges have language labs with this sort of software. These software provide

practice of all four skills. Learners can listen British or American accent with the help of software. It will

provide them practice of listening native speakers. Teacher can give allot exercise and it can

automatically be checked. Software can work offline as well. It also keeps tracks of students ranking. It

analysis data of student and can automatically generate graphical form which is easy to understand for

both parents and teachers.

Software also provides context for learning. It gives situation to student and also gives example of what to

do and how to handle the situation. For ex. how to talk on telephone formally, how to tackle wrong

numbers, how to respond while meeting formal people, how to talk at bank, airport etc. It also gives demo

of how to respond in interview, what are the etiquettes while appearing for interview etc. It also gives

example of business writing, resume writing, applications, reports, letters etc. Language software also

offers level of learners. Beginning, intermediate and advance is the main levels. In traditional classroom

teacher cannot teach according to level of learner in traditional classroom. However with the help of

software, teacher can assign exercise as par the learners’ level.

Students can repeat lessons and exercises until they don’t understand. Learners’ capacity of

comprehension is different. It saves time and energy of fast learners and it gives comfortable zone to slow

learners. They do not feel that they are lacking speed of learning. Apart from this, software also guides

students about various speaking skills like negotiation, group discussion, announcements, anchoring,

debate, convincing etc. Software gives situation and provides dialogue for the situation. Students can read

that and listen that. They can also practice the same with classmates. Thus, software provides many

practical examples of real life situation.

Internet

Internet has given wings to technology. It has completely changed the way of teaching and learning. Due

to internet learner can solve doubts, queries immediately. In traditional classroom they feel fear that if

they will ask questions, rest of the class will laugh on them. However if they have internet accessibility,

they can Google their doubts and find out answers. There are plenty of websites which offer grammar,

lessons, poems, and various exercises to improve LSRW skills. Learner can do these things at their ease

The Global Journal of English Studies I February 2016 I Volume II, Issue I ISSN : 2395 4795

as well. They can assess their own level and improve it. Google also provides so many books to read.

Students do not need to buy the books. They can read it online. Even if they don’t want to read, summary,

plot, theme of the books are also available on many websites. Thus now book store and explanations are

hand away from students.

YouTube is also facilitator in teaching language. YouTube is site where learners can watch online videos

related to the topic. Experts and teachers upload the videos for watchers. Thus learner just needs to type

the topic which he wants to learn and many experts will be present in no time on the screen. Traditional

classroom offers only one teacher. Through YouTube, learner can know various views on the topic. He

can also choose expert to learn.

Nowadays classrooms have projectors. Teachers do not to write the content on boards. Chalk sticks are

now old fashion style. Teachers use projectors in the class to teach. Teacher can also use English video

songs, stories, drama etc in the classroom which will foster learners’ comprehension skill. Through this,

learners’ concentration power will also increase. They will find audio visual input interesting and their

learning desire will increase.

Blogs, twitter, face book, etc are the applications through which people communicate in written form.

Learners can read other’s blog and know how to write. Most of the learners use face book daily. By this

their writing skill can be enhanced. They use English language for chatting. If learners write on the blogs,

they will have very vast audience and they will be appreciated by many people rather than only

classmates. This will provide motivation to the learners.

There many others sites which provide English lessons and tutorials. For example, Oxford University

Press Learning Resources Bank, Vocabulix, ESL Cyber Listening Lab, Real English and many more.

These sites provide activities, test, lessons, explanation etc to the learners.

There are many other websites which run online course. They give online tutorials and lecture on various

topics. So students can choose the topic and time to attend. It gives freedom to students for choosing time

and topic. These websites also provide certificates. Some websites offer free courses and some apply

charge for registration.

Mobile

Nowadays most of the students use mobile phones. Android mobile phones can foster English language

learning. Students download various applications from play store. There are many applications which

teach English like English Grammar, idioms, proverbs, quotes, etc. It also offers English to English

dictionary like world web, oxford etc. English to mother dictionaries are also available. Now students do

need to turn pages for words. They just need to type the spelling to know the meaning. Even if students

The Global Journal of English Studies I February 2016 I Volume II, Issue I ISSN : 2395 4795

do not download application to learn English there are many others social applications through which

they can learn English. For example Watsapp, hike, hangout etc. By these applications, one can chat with

others in which they use English language. These applications have option of ‘correct the spelling’. By

this option, if they write wrong spelling, mobile will correct it and thus they don’t need teacher to correct

their spellings. They can learn new vocabulary by chatting with friends which is the most natural way of

leaning a language. Mobile users also play games on mobile phones. There are many games based on

English vocabulary like crossword or finish the word within given time limit. BY these games learners

can enhance their vocabulary.

Conclusion

Technology provides practical with theory which is appreciated by the students. Teacher should motivate

learners to use technology as it has many benefits. Today technology is a tutor and teacher is a facilitator

in the classroom. Thus, technology has changed the role of teacher and learner.

References

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Davies, G., & Hewer, S. (2012). Introduction to new technologies and how they can contribute to language learning

and teaching. Module 1.1 in Davies G. (ed.), Information and Communications Technology forLanguage Teachers

(ICT4LT), Slough, Thames Valley University [Online]. Retrieved fromhttp://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod1-1.htm

Hoven, D. (1999). A model for listening and viewing comprehension in multimedia environments. Language

Learning & Technology, 3(1), 88-103. Retrieved from http://llt.msu.edu/vol3num1/hoven/index.html

Kenworthy, R. C. (2004). Developing writing skills in a foreign language via the internet. The Internet TESL

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Saricoban, A. (1999). The teaching of listening. The Internet TESL Journal, 5(12). Retrieved from

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