Written by: Alen Kuriakose, Trainer, HSSW
Technology is one of the most important learning tool for language as well as any other subjects. It is not just a verge of course enhancement, just interested by technophile teacher or learner but anyone concerned in language learning.
It is rare to find a language class that does not use some form of technology, in recent years, technology has been used to both assist and enhance language learning. Teachers have incorporated various forms of technology to support their teaching, engage students in the learning process, provide authentic examples, and connect their classrooms. Like science subjects where experiments are done at science laboratories. Language learning can be accelerated in language laboratories.
A TALL activity requires instructor technological literacy, student technological literacy , class access to technology, sometimes requires technical support. During a TALL activity, the instructor may be monitoring, guiding, facilitating, assisting, and evaluating, the students may be working individually, in pairs, or in groups , the students are clicking, dragging, and scrolling, but also listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Using TALL provides a lot more flexibility and caters to more learning styles of the language learners compared to traditional styles of teaching.
TALL can be used alongside textbooks for a much more in depth learning experience
TALL turns the classroom into a student centred environment. Students can:
a. Select order in which material is presented to them
b. Control the material presented to them
c. Control the pace of progress
TALL improves motivation and develops better attitudes in students towards learning.
Learning is not confined to the area within the classroom environment, it is enlarged. Students can learn about language at home and practice language in class.
Main types of media using TALL
a. Sound (audio) – Radio broadcasts, recorded playback of speeches, recorded storytelling b. Films (video + audio)- Short films, interviews, full length feature movies c. Images/Graphics- Charts, paintings, photos d. Texts- Essays, journals, articles, e-mail, chatting, books
Learning when activity based becomes more meaningful and thought provoking. Technology assisted learning always plays a key role in enhancing the LSRW (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) skills of a language learner. More studies need to emerge in order to stimulate the use of technology in second language learning too.
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