Globalization is a must in this century, and Language Learning is improving throughout the rising international integration. There is no doubt that English is the major language to communicate to the world, and it affected my own experience in Language Learning. I grew up in Hong Kong, where used to be a colony of British, people used to learn English since they were children. Therefore, I have experiencing in Language Learning for over 20 years, and experienced the changes along to development of the computer, Internet and all other technologies. However, Language Learning became a part of my life after years, but I have never considered the pedagogical impact from the technology before I learnt the course Introduction to Language and Technology. There are many pedagogical approaches like what Joseph and Slaughter (2009) discussed, such as grammar-translation method, audiolingualism, second language acquisition or communicative language teaching & content and language integrated learning, and intercultural language teaching and learning. Nevertheless, culture is important in the pedagogical framework, Lavy (2007) also stated that learning is deeply embedded in our own culture. For example, providing authentic samples of the culture differences affected by language between student’s own culture and other culture. However, via the self-recognition in the path of my language learning and the understanding of the theories in language learning, that helps me to find out what I have done inappropriately in past, and indicate the accurate method to improve the Language Learning.
To explore my own Language Learning experience, I found that I have experienced a spoon-feeding education system in Hong Kong, which is a Didactic teaching. Student acts a passive role leading by the teacher, and the job is to take in the learning material given. That was the way of Language Learning beyond the development of technology, and it is being changed along to the Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) growth. Levy (2007) have indicated CALL has an advance to assist student in the vocabulary learning, and it is important in Language Learning. Beside, I have found a software ‘Rocekt Vocabulary’, which given student an opportunity to choose the topic they are interested in, so that they become an active role in the learning. In the other hand, along to the growth of Mobile technology, Godwin-Jones (2011) also agreed that Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) is a new trend in Language Learning. As well as the competition of smartphone devises raised, the Mobile application (Apps) is getting popular. It changed my Language Learning attitude, and it is more fun and interesting for me. I believe the attitude of learning is necessary for a Language Learner. Lafford (1991) also advised that teacher has to motivate student and keep updating the technology, and it is essential in teacher training. Which means, student should not be a passive role, they should be Initiating in the language learning, and teacher only acts a supportive role to encourage their motivation.
As I started to learn my second language, English, in a non-native speaking country, therefore I did not have much chance to practice it. Audiolingualism was the first pedagogy in my Language Learning practice, Joseph and Slaughter (2009) estimated that is emphasis on drill, repetition, practicing and error correction. Teacher provided some sentences, and then we needed to keep repeating it. For example listen to the Podcast said “I am going to school.”, then Choral Drill for all classmates “I am going to school.” It is useful to practice the pronunciation in the repetition, but it is dull, not encourage student to take in the meaning of the sentence. Along these years, I am afraid to speak English on my own, not able to use English flexibly. Then, I started to learn more about the grammar in English when I was in Primary school which Grammar Translation Method has been used. At that time, English was not my favorite subject, as it is monotonous, holding an English-Chinese Dictionary to found out the meaning of vocabularies in an endless-page workbook and trying to memorize all of them for the dictation test everyday. There were full of pressure, and I started to lose the interest in English learning. Furthermore, as soon as I get in to secondary school, almost all subject used by English except the Chinese History class, they tended to use Content & Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in teaching. Joseph and Slaughter (2009) established that student can master the grammar, vocabulary and sentence through the use of English directly in class. Unfortunately, that was dreadful for me, especially the first year, because my English is not good enough to handle all subjects in English. By then, I was depressed on my dropped grade, and losing all my confident in English Learning.
However, since the technology gown, and the wide use of computer, I started to gain the interest of English Learning back. For example, YouTube learning Channel, such as Chemistry teacher suggested the video which show me some chemistry experiment with English subtitle, that is interesting and given me motivation to found out all the meaning of the specific words in the video, it helps me in the subject as well as helping me in the use of English. However, I believe that technology is playing an assisting role in language learning, it makes the information easier to understand.
After experiencing all the technologies, I found the MALL is most useful in my life, such as the electronic dictionary apps, it supports the practical sample of the vocabulary, and pronunciation in loud and clear voice. I am using it almost everyday, not only using when I found new vocabulary in class but also my daily life, even when I go shopping in supermarket, I use it if I found some there are some ingredients that I do not know.
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That is useful and convenient to use in daily life, and it is encouraging to explore more unknown vocabulary in my own knowledge. In the other hand, I am not using so much of the social network to practice my English, such as Microsoft Messenger, as it is mainly use for social networking, the user there are not use it in a language learning approach, they may not use the language appropriately. The language used in the Messenger may be inappropriate and informal, sometime users would use short term to make faster the typing, which is not suitable for Language Learning, as they might not able to learn the accurate wording. In this case, it could causes confusion for language learner, or keep taking the mistake from others, it does not make any improvement in the language learning.
As a language learner I would expect a technology helps me in Language Learning, and which is easy to use, and able to explain me the use of the language, so I will able to use it in my life. I wish there are two kind of technology to help me in language leaning either in class or outside of class, the one in class I would like it to be more focus on the grammar, so that I would able to ask the teacher for more information if I found difficult; the one outside of class I would prefer it helps me to understand the culture of the targeted language, I believe the interaction would help the motivation in language learning.
However, I realized I have experienced many different approaches in Language Learning intentionally and unintentionally, and also through the understanding of the pedagogical approaches, I found the advantage and disadvantage of different approaches, in order to improve my language learning in a appropriate method. In the past years, I used to the Audiolingualism, and I ever believed it is a good way to practice a language, but now I found it only make me to memories a word or a sentence but I would not able to use it flexibly, and this is not a way to understanding the actual meaning of the language. Technology is useful in language learning, I am willing like to use more technologies to support my learning, such as the electronic dictionary App that I can easily use to find the example of the use of the particular vocabulary. Other than that, I would like to go on YouTube to explore more about the Western culture, in order to improve my English.
Moreover, Social network is getting popular nowadays, such like English town chat room, which derivative our digital identity. As a language learner, I concern about what others impression on me, I am afraid people will ridicule on my wrong grammar or pronunciation. Thus, I will not use real name and details in those application to made myself feel securer. Harrison and Thomas (2009) commented on this subject as well, the user in “The Example of Livemocha” is not willing to disclose their personal detail in their profile. Actually, Fictional digital identity make me feel free to chat with others and learn from the mistake and more change to practice the language.
Language learning and technology can be a perfect match if they can complement each other appropriately. First of all, for the purpose on maximum effect of CALL, Chapelle (2001) recommended teacher should consider about criteria for CALL task appropriateness, which are Language learning potential, Learner fit, Meaning focus, Authenticity, Positive impact and Practicality. Besides, the most important criteria in my point of view is “Learner fit”, teacher should teach students in accordance with their aptitude with appropriate technologies, if the CALL task is not fit for Learner, it is not only preventing them from the Language Learning, also Learner may lost the interest in CALL. Furthermore, different pedagogical approaches & technologies should using in different interest of student, Levy (2009) also considered the differences between user in different level, the program needs to be designed to match the individual student’s preferred learning style and proficiency level. Moreover, teacher should review technologies for second language acquisition from time to time. Finally, to motivate student can be used in the interactive way for learning English in class and outside of class. For example
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“MindSnacks” can be a tool for student to learn with an interactive way. At the same time, Music can be a good media for Language learn to learn language in interesting way, likes Maroon 5. "Makes Me Wonder" with target language lyrics.
In conclusion, language learning and technology are now indivisible under Modern Society. Find the Best way to make use of it can be blissful tidings for language learner and teacher. Besides, to optimize the Language Learning environment, I am agreed that Learners should be study with an ideal stress level rather then the experience I had in Hong Kong’s education system that made me afraid of English by the Didactic teaching and Endless examinations, I needed to spend a long time to retrieve the interest of language learning eventually.
References List
1. Chapelle, C. (2001). Computer Applications in Second Language Acquisition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Chapter 3 - CALL. Retrieved from http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/samples/cam031/2001269254.pdf
2. Godwin-Jones, R. (2011). EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES - MOBILE APPS FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING. In Language Learning and Technology, vol.15 no.2 pp.2-3. Retrieved from http://llt.msu.edu/issues/june2011/emerging.pdf
3. Harrison, R.; Thomas, M. (2009). Identity in Online Communities: Social Networking Sites and Language Learning. International Journal of Emerging Technologies & Society, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 109 – 124. Retrieved from Informit.
4. Lafford, B. A. (1991). Toward an Ecological CALL: Update to Garrett. Volume 93, Issue Supplement s1 pp. 673–696. DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-4781.2009.00966.x
5. Levy, M. (2007). CULTURE, culture learning and new technologies : towards a pedagogical framework Language Learning & Technology, vol.11 no.2 2007, pp.104-127. Retrieved from Informit.
6. Levy, M. (2009). Technologies in Use for Second Language Learning pp.772 In The Modern Language Journal. (2009). Volume 93, Issue Supplement s1, pp.769-782. DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-4781.2009.00972.x
7. Joseph, L. B. and Slaughter, S. (2009). Language teaching and learning : choice, pedagogy, rationale and goals. Babel, 44 (1), pp. 24. Retrieved from Informit.
Globalization is a must in this century, and Language Learning is improving throughout the rising international integration. There is no doubt that English is the major language to communicate to the world, and it affected my own experience in Language Learning. I grew up in Hong Kong, where used to be a colony of British, people used to learn English since they were children. Therefore, I have experiencing in Language Learning for over 20 years, and experienced the changes along to development of the computer, Internet and all other technologies. However, Language Learning became a part of my life after years, but I have never considered the pedagogical impact from the technology before I learnt the course Introduction to Language and Technology. There are many pedagogical approaches like what Joseph and Slaughter (2009) discussed, such as grammar-translation method, audiolingualism, second language acquisition or communicative language teaching & content and language integrated learning, and intercultural language teaching and learning. Nevertheless, culture is important in the pedagogical framework, Lavy (2007) also stated that learning is deeply embedded in our own culture. For example, providing authentic samples of the culture differences affected by language between student’s own culture and other culture. However, via the self-recognition in the path of my language learning and the understanding of the theories in language learning, that helps me to find out what I have done inappropriately in past, and indicate the accurate method to improve the Language Learning.
To explore my own Language Learning experience, I found that I have experienced a spoon-feeding education system in Hong Kong, which is a Didactic teaching. Student acts a passive role leading by the teacher, and the job is to take in the learning material given. That was the way of Language Learning beyond the development of technology, and it is being changed along to the Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) growth. Levy (2007) have indicated CALL has an advance to assist student in the vocabulary learning, and it is important in Language Learning. Beside, I have found a software ‘Rocekt Vocabulary’, which given student an opportunity to choose the topic they are interested in, so that they become an active role in the learning. In the other hand, along to the growth of Mobile technology, Godwin-Jones (2011) also agreed that Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) is a new trend in Language Learning. As well as the competition of smartphone devises raised, the Mobile application (Apps) is getting popular. It changed my Language Learning attitude, and it is more fun and interesting for me. I believe the attitude of learning is necessary for a Language Learner. Lafford (1991) also advised that teacher has to motivate student and keep updating the technology, and it is essential in teacher training. Which means, student should not be a passive role, they should be Initiating in the language learning, and teacher only acts a supportive role to encourage their motivation.
As I started to learn my second language, English, in a non-native speaking country, therefore I did not have much chance to practice it. Audiolingualism was the first pedagogy in my Language Learning practice, Joseph and Slaughter (2009) estimated that is emphasis on drill, repetition, practicing and error correction. Teacher provided some sentences, and then we needed to keep repeating it. For example listen to the Podcast said “I am going to school.”, then Choral Drill for all classmates “I am going to school.” It is useful to practice the pronunciation in the repetition, but it is dull, not encourage student to take in the meaning of the sentence. Along these years, I am afraid to speak English on my own, not able to use English flexibly. Then, I started to learn more about the grammar in English when I was in Primary school which Grammar Translation Method has been used. At that time, English was not my favorite subject, as it is monotonous, holding an English-Chinese Dictionary to found out the meaning of vocabularies in an endless-page workbook and trying to memorize all of them for the dictation test everyday. There were full of pressure, and I started to lose the interest in English learning. Furthermore, as soon as I get in to secondary school, almost all subject used by English except the Chinese History class, they tended to use Content & Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in teaching. Joseph and Slaughter (2009) established that student can master the grammar, vocabulary and sentence through the use of English directly in class. Unfortunately, that was dreadful for me, especially the first year, because my English is not good enough to handle all subjects in English. By then, I was depressed on my dropped grade, and losing all my confident in English Learning.
However, since the technology gown, and the wide use of computer, I started to gain the interest of English Learning back. For example, YouTube learning Channel, such as Chemistry teacher suggested the video which show me some chemistry experiment with English subtitle, that is interesting and given me motivation to found out all the meaning of the specific words in the video, it helps me in the subject as well as helping me in the use of English. However, I believe that technology is playing an assisting role in language learning, it makes the information easier to understand.
After experiencing all the technologies, I found the MALL is most useful in my life, such as the electronic dictionary apps, it supports the practical sample of the vocabulary, and pronunciation in loud and clear voice. I am using it almost everyday, not only using when I found new vocabulary in class but also my daily life, even when I go shopping in supermarket, I use it if I found some there are some ingredients that I do not know.
.PNG)
.PNG)
That is useful and convenient to use in daily life, and it is encouraging to explore more unknown vocabulary in my own knowledge. In the other hand, I am not using so much of the social network to practice my English, such as Microsoft Messenger, as it is mainly use for social networking, the user there are not use it in a language learning approach, they may not use the language appropriately. The language used in the Messenger may be inappropriate and informal, sometime users would use short term to make faster the typing, which is not suitable for Language Learning, as they might not able to learn the accurate wording. In this case, it could causes confusion for language learner, or keep taking the mistake from others, it does not make any improvement in the language learning.
As a language learner I would expect a technology helps me in Language Learning, and which is easy to use, and able to explain me the use of the language, so I will able to use it in my life. I wish there are two kind of technology to help me in language leaning either in class or outside of class, the one in class I would like it to be more focus on the grammar, so that I would able to ask the teacher for more information if I found difficult; the one outside of class I would prefer it helps me to understand the culture of the targeted language, I believe the interaction would help the motivation in language learning.
However, I realized I have experienced many different approaches in Language Learning intentionally and unintentionally, and also through the understanding of the pedagogical approaches, I found the advantage and disadvantage of different approaches, in order to improve my language learning in a appropriate method. In the past years, I used to the Audiolingualism, and I ever believed it is a good way to practice a language, but now I found it only make me to memories a word or a sentence but I would not able to use it flexibly, and this is not a way to understanding the actual meaning of the language. Technology is useful in language learning, I am willing like to use more technologies to support my learning, such as the electronic dictionary App that I can easily use to find the example of the use of the particular vocabulary. Other than that, I would like to go on YouTube to explore more about the Western culture, in order to improve my English.
Moreover, Social network is getting popular nowadays, such like English town chat room, which derivative our digital identity. As a language learner, I concern about what others impression on me, I am afraid people will ridicule on my wrong grammar or pronunciation. Thus, I will not use real name and details in those application to made myself feel securer. Harrison and Thomas (2009) commented on this subject as well, the user in “The Example of Livemocha” is not willing to disclose their personal detail in their profile. Actually, Fictional digital identity make me feel free to chat with others and learn from the mistake and more change to practice the language.
Language learning and technology can be a perfect match if they can complement each other appropriately. First of all, for the purpose on maximum effect of CALL, Chapelle (2001) recommended teacher should consider about criteria for CALL task appropriateness, which are Language learning potential, Learner fit, Meaning focus, Authenticity, Positive impact and Practicality. Besides, the most important criteria in my point of view is “Learner fit”, teacher should teach students in accordance with their aptitude with appropriate technologies, if the CALL task is not fit for Learner, it is not only preventing them from the Language Learning, also Learner may lost the interest in CALL. Furthermore, different pedagogical approaches & technologies should using in different interest of student, Levy (2009) also considered the differences between user in different level, the program needs to be designed to match the individual student’s preferred learning style and proficiency level. Moreover, teacher should review technologies for second language acquisition from time to time. Finally, to motivate student can be used in the interactive way for learning English in class and outside of class. For example
.PNG)
In conclusion, language learning and technology are now indivisible under Modern Society. Find the Best way to make use of it can be blissful tidings for language learner and teacher. Besides, to optimize the Language Learning environment, I am agreed that Learners should be study with an ideal stress level rather then the experience I had in Hong Kong’s education system that made me afraid of English by the Didactic teaching and Endless examinations, I needed to spend a long time to retrieve the interest of language learning eventually.
References List
1. Chapelle, C. (2001). Computer Applications in Second Language Acquisition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Chapter 3 - CALL. Retrieved from http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/samples/cam031/2001269254.pdf
2. Godwin-Jones, R. (2011). EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES - MOBILE APPS FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING. In Language Learning and Technology, vol.15 no.2 pp.2-3. Retrieved from http://llt.msu.edu/issues/june2011/emerging.pdf
3. Harrison, R.; Thomas, M. (2009). Identity in Online Communities: Social Networking Sites and Language Learning. International Journal of Emerging Technologies & Society, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 109 – 124. Retrieved from Informit.
4. Lafford, B. A. (1991). Toward an Ecological CALL: Update to Garrett. Volume 93, Issue Supplement s1 pp. 673–696. DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-4781.2009.00966.x
5. Levy, M. (2007). CULTURE, culture learning and new technologies : towards a pedagogical framework Language Learning & Technology, vol.11 no.2 2007, pp.104-127. Retrieved from Informit.
6. Levy, M. (2009). Technologies in Use for Second Language Learning pp.772 In The Modern Language Journal. (2009). Volume 93, Issue Supplement s1, pp.769-782. DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-4781.2009.00972.x
7. Joseph, L. B. and Slaughter, S. (2009). Language teaching and learning : choice, pedagogy, rationale and goals. Babel, 44 (1), pp. 24. Retrieved from Informit.
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