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Date Posted: 12:19:18 11/14/04 Sun
Author: Amanda
Subject: Re: Task 5
In reply to: Fernanda 's message, "Re: Task 5" on 18:05:52 11/12/04 Fri

Computer networking on language learning

Nowadays, computer has become an important feature of modern life. There is an enormous number of people that uses the computer everyday, sometimes without even being aware of the fact. Its variety of applications made of the computer a part of our everyday life, and this (1) computer revolution can change society radically, including language learning.

On-line classes can aid language acquisition in a number of aspects which other classes do not offer (Ahmad, Corbett, Rogers, and Sussex, 1989). Students feel enthusiastic about doing on-line work because it promotes extended exchanges among them, and it is a good support to learn a foreign language. Computers offer interactive learning without tiring, and students feel free to produce (Ahmad et al, ibid).

Computer networking also helps the student because it allows them to choose when to study particular topics and how long to spend on them. With a machine available, the student can spend all the time necessary to learn, can take a course – or parts of it – at a distance, and learning sessions can also be more concentrated than normal class sessions (Ahmad et al, ibid).

Next, in networking classes, students can participate much more than in oral classes. Instructors tend to dominate speaking in oral classes. On the other hand, in computer networking, students generally work more than the instructors. They have to discuss topics suggested by the teacher, to answer his fellow’s questions and, sometimes, to ask for extra explanations about a task. This kind of interaction, besides stimulate student participation, also promotes self-esteem.(Swaffar, Romano, Markley, Arens, 1998)

There are teachers who are against the use of computer networking to improve language learning. They say computer eliminates a number of factors that are practiced in classroom interaction. In front of the computer, students do not have to monitor tone of voice, body language, intonational patterns or phonetic variance, for example. It is true that on-line classes work only with words on the screen, but an oral class can be frustrating for some students, because they realize that they can not express their ideas in a foreign language as well as in their mother tongue. In an on-line class, however, there is time to reflect about what they are going to write, time to reconsider, to check what other people have written and to review their writing. These facilities give confidence also to students that may be shy to speak in front of fellows who/that they think that speak better that them (2).(Ahmad et al, op. cit)

Concluding, computer networking is an effective way of helping students to express themselves better. Using Janet Swaffar’s (1989) words, “...computer classroom is more than just a gimmick, more than an enjoyable form of language drill, but a distinctive, perhaps unique, language learning environment”. It is also a comfortable kind of class for those who do not feel fine to speak in front of others.

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  • Re: Task 5 -- Aparecida's comments, 02:33:43 11/16/04 Tue
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