3.3 Benefits of CALL
While there are those who are still skeptical about the use of a computer to teach language (an inherently human activity), the many benefits of a CALL program have been generally accepted. Some of these come from the general field of CAI, while some are specific to language learning.
Individualization
Probably the most important benefit is that of individualization and learner autonomy. With a CALL program, learners can work at their own pace and control their own learning process and progress. The learner can spend more time on those topics that are causing difficulty. Information can be reviewed and tasks can be repeated until the learner is happy to move on to a new topic. CALL can adapt to the learner’s self-paced …show more content…
A CALL program can provide more information to the learner through built in electronic dictionaries, more detailed screens and links to other sites. In fact, learner may be more inclined to read extra information if it is only a click away, as opposed to having to open another book. On the other hand, the same program could allow learners to avoid information overload if they are feeling overwhelmed. They can leave a program to give themselves time to absorb the new knowledge. In a traditional classroom setting, students cannot usually leave if they feel overloaded. They must wait until the class has ended, possibly not paying attention to what the teacher is saying and missing out on the topic being taught. With a CALL program, the user can leave when they wish and come back to where they left off or simply start …show more content…
This repetition can aid reinforcement, which is an important part of learning. This can either be text, audio or video. Learners can listen to and repeat audio portions of a CALL program until they are satisfied that they have understood what is being said. Video segments can be watched in various modes (with/without sound, with/without subtitles) as many times as the learner wishes. The variety of exercises available helps to maintain the student’s interest and avoid the boredom associated with drilling the same exercises over and over. This is obviously beneficial to the learner and is a definite advantage over the traditional classroom situation in which it is not that easy to ask the teacher to repeat something a number of times until it is understood.
Computer Literacy Skills
What you could call a side-effect of using multimedia, the internet, CALL software, and collaborative tasks in language learning is the real-world benefit to students of becoming more familiar with using computers and more experienced with a group approach to projects and learning. Computer use is taken for granted in most companies today, and more and more businesses have a need for an internet presence, and collaborative language learning with computers fits right into this by providing real-life skill-building in computer use.
Student-Centered
While there are those who are still skeptical about the use of a computer to teach language (an inherently human activity), the many benefits of a CALL program have been generally accepted. Some of these come from the general field of CAI, while some are specific to language learning.
Individualization
Probably the most important benefit is that of individualization and learner autonomy. With a CALL program, learners can work at their own pace and control their own learning process and progress. The learner can spend more time on those topics that are causing difficulty. Information can be reviewed and tasks can be repeated until the learner is happy to move on to a new topic. CALL can adapt to the learner’s self-paced …show more content…
A CALL program can provide more information to the learner through built in electronic dictionaries, more detailed screens and links to other sites. In fact, learner may be more inclined to read extra information if it is only a click away, as opposed to having to open another book. On the other hand, the same program could allow learners to avoid information overload if they are feeling overwhelmed. They can leave a program to give themselves time to absorb the new knowledge. In a traditional classroom setting, students cannot usually leave if they feel overloaded. They must wait until the class has ended, possibly not paying attention to what the teacher is saying and missing out on the topic being taught. With a CALL program, the user can leave when they wish and come back to where they left off or simply start …show more content…
This repetition can aid reinforcement, which is an important part of learning. This can either be text, audio or video. Learners can listen to and repeat audio portions of a CALL program until they are satisfied that they have understood what is being said. Video segments can be watched in various modes (with/without sound, with/without subtitles) as many times as the learner wishes. The variety of exercises available helps to maintain the student’s interest and avoid the boredom associated with drilling the same exercises over and over. This is obviously beneficial to the learner and is a definite advantage over the traditional classroom situation in which it is not that easy to ask the teacher to repeat something a number of times until it is understood.
Computer Literacy Skills
What you could call a side-effect of using multimedia, the internet, CALL software, and collaborative tasks in language learning is the real-world benefit to students of becoming more familiar with using computers and more experienced with a group approach to projects and learning. Computer use is taken for granted in most companies today, and more and more businesses have a need for an internet presence, and collaborative language learning with computers fits right into this by providing real-life skill-building in computer use.
Student-Centered