scholarly journals ESP for Busy College Students

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Palalas

Research conducted at George Brown College in Toronto identified a significant gap between students’ language proficiency, the requirements of the program from which they were about to graduate, and the language requirements of the related workplace. Specific language and socio-cultural competencies had to be packaged into a language support solution in a delivery format matching students’ needs and their demanding schedules. Based on these needs, an adjunct language support course was designed following paradigms of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) and Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) theories of learning. The resulting hybrid English for Special Purposes (ESP) course comprised three components: in-class, online, and mobile. Traditional ESL resources were combined with in-house produced audio-video podcasts and open source content. Results demonstrated that blending in-class, online and mobile language learning is an effective solution for teaching English to adult learners, and it is a solution that enables improved flexibility and individualization of practice.

Author(s):  
Emine Şendurur

The evolution of mobile devices, web technologies, and learning paradigms has been shaping MALL practice. Today, informal learning has become more important than ever since the number of resources increased and the interaction styles became multidimensional. Computer-assisted language learning was converted into different forms, and mobile-assisted language learning is one of them. In its early history, the pedagogical dimension of MALL was criticized for being very behavioristic. However, the collaborative and creative nature of Web 2.0 tools contributed to methodological changes in the MALL tradition. Although there are many mobile applications designed to improve language proficiency, cloud-based tools and other mobile applications can feed the language skills informally if the designers benefit from big data.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramia DIRAR SHEHADEH MUSMAR

Integrating scaffolding-learning technologies has been recognized for its potential to create intellectual and engaging classroom interactions. In the United Arab Emirates, having language teachers employ computers as a medium of new pedagogical instrument for teaching second languages generated the idea of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) as a medium of an innovative pedagogical instrument for facilitating and scaffolding language learning, with an aspiration that it will lead to improved English language attainment and better assessment results. This study aims at investigating the perspectives of students and teachers on the advantageous and disadvantageous impacts of CALL on learning and teaching English as a second language in one public school in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The results show that CALL has a facilitating role in L2 classroom and that using CALL activities is advantageous in reducing English learning tension, boosting motivation, catering for student diversity, promoting self-directed language learning and scaffolding while learning English. The results additionally report that numerous aspects like time constraints, teachers’ unsatisfactory computer skills, insufficient computer facilities, and inflexible school courses undesirably affect the implementation of CALL in English classrooms. It is recommended that further studies should be undertaken to investigate the actual effect of CALL on students’ language proficiency. 


Author(s):  
Niall Curry ◽  
Elaine Riordan

Technological innovation in supporting feedback on writing is well established in computer-assisted language learning (CALL) literature. Regarding writing development, research has found that intelligent CALL systems that respond instantly to learners' language can support their production of better-written texts. To investigate this claim further, this chapter presents a study on learner use of Write & Improve (W&I). The study, based on learner engagement with W&I and learner and teacher surveys and focus groups, demonstrates that learners find W&I to be engaging and motivating. Moreover, there is evidence of improvements in learner writing practices and written language proficiency. For teachers, W&I can render feedback more efficient, allowing them to focus on more complex aspects of learner texts, while spelling and syntactic accuracy are addressed by W&I. Issues also emerge in the use of W&I, which present problem areas for teachers and learners and which signal important future considerations for CALL research.


Author(s):  
Kijpokin Kasemsap

This chapter explains the overview of Technology-Enhanced Language Learning (TELL); the overview of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL); the relationship between Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) and language learning; the overview of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL); and the technological utilization for language learning in the digital age. TELL, CALL, and MALL significantly deal with the impact of technology on teaching and learning the second language or foreign language. TELL, CALL, and MALL are the utilization of the advanced devices as the technological innovation to display multimedia as the modern language learning methods in the digital age. TELL, CALL, and MALL effectively improve learning motivation and develop better attitudes in students and language learners toward language learning. The chapter argues that encouraging the applications of TELL, CALL, and MALL has the potential to improve language learning performance and reach strategic goals in the modern language learning environments.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Javed Iqbal Mirani ◽  
Shokat Ali Lohar ◽  
Abdul Razaque Lanjwani Jat ◽  
Muhammad Faheem

The use of computer technology has become compulsory in education particularly in foreign language teaching and learning. It is known as Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). Language teachers and learners usually take more interest to utilize technology like mobile phone, computer, and internet in their teaching and learning. CALL has unlocked innovative dimensions in learning. Further, CALL offers advanced learning and teaching methods such as Audio–Video, Cognitive and Communicative approaches. Learning with help of CALL improves students’ cognitive and communicative abilities more as compare to traditional methods of teaching and learning. Cognitive learning makes learner responsible for his own learning and communicative approach improves learner communication skills in the language. It is necessary to consider major aspects of CALL. This paper discusses detail information about Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). The overview focus is especially on the development of CALL, Challenges and Future Impact on language teaching and learning.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Muhammad Arfan Lodhi ◽  
Ayesha Fatima ◽  
Farzana Ismail ◽  
Nadia Amin ◽  
Faiza Khalid ◽  
...  

Today’s world is the era of technology and it is playing a dominant role in the field of education. The current research work is quantitative in nature. It aims to investigate students’ attitudes, their interests and difficulties regarding the concept of computer assisted language learning at intermediate level. A self reported questionnaire (SRQ) was designed and administered to obtain the objectives of the current study. The sampling statistic comprised of 300 students with equal gender from public and private colleges. The collected data was statistically analyzed by running descriptive statistic technique. The findings revealed that male students had more positive attitude towards CALL as compared to their female counterparts. However, it was also revealed that male students found CALL interesting for the development of language proficiency while female students faced more difficulties in using computer technology for English Language learning. The results provide ideas, paths and suggestions to the future researchers to undergo further investigations in developing computer mediating language learning programs for the benefits of learners and learning.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 439
Author(s):  
Zhenyu Yang

In this era of digital technology, time and place no longer limit access to information, communication, and learning. Following the trend and popularity of CALL (Computer-assisted Language Learning), MALL (Mobile-assisted Language Learning) is gaining increasing attention and application. Many teachers as well as language learners turn to these mobile devices for various language learning purposes due to easy access to resources, convenience, and less language anxiety. Despite the comprehensive functions and sophisticated devices, a high percentage of learners still lag behind and even give up the apps after some time of use. Some research shows that the unsuccessful learners’ lack of motivation constitutes a major hinderance in their self-regulated learning. This study tries to analyze an important component in learners’ motivation, that is self-efficacy (especially computer self-efficacy), and seek for good solutions to the current problems.


Author(s):  
Kathryn Murphy-Judy

Students studying abroad already don’t leave home without their mobile devices—phones, MP3 players, netbooks, laptops. The potential for m-learning for these device-toting learners holds great promise that can easily be capitalized upon by the savvy teacher. Learners studying abroad who are outfitted with m-learning devices which include well-chosen Web 2.0 resources derive immediate and long range benefits. Furthermore, when organized to communicate with learners back home, the travelers help create a transnational community of practice that shares the wealth of the experiential learning. This chapter takes a tour of mobile learning technologies and techniques that enhance and extend the study abroad experience far beyond the reach of a small group fortunate enough to travel. As has long been the case with CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) and TELL (Technology Enhanced Language Learning), and now with MALL (Mobile Assisted Language Learning), experts note that well-chosen resources, along with carefully structured and planned activities, enhance various aspects of language acquisition and social interaction. After the literature review, this chapter considers lessons gleaned from the author’s trails, trials, and errors across a range of technologies and borders. It ends with suggestions for ways to optimize iStudyAbroad today and tomorrow.


Author(s):  
Chaka Chaka

This chapter explores aspects of portable handheld language learning that are likely to benefit many mobile assisted language learning (MALL) practitioners. Portable handheld language learning refers to mobile, virtual, and ubiquitous language learning mediated through mobile handheld devices. Currently, both computer assisted language learning (CALL) and MALL seem to dominate the act of language learning. Against this background the chapter first provides a brief review of CALL, highlighting CALL technologies helping mediate language learning. Second, it delineates features typifying e-Learning and contends that CALL is more closely linked to traditional e-Learning than MALL. Third, it provides empirical instances of MALL and argues that the future of language learning lies more with MALL and especially with pen assisted language learning (PALL) than with CALL. Finally, it maintains that an all-encompassing and multidimensional definition of mobile learning is necessary if MALL is to evolve into a mainstream virtual learning enterprise.


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