Computer Assisted Learning : A Helpful Approach in Learning English

Computer Assisted Learning : A Helpful Approach in Learning English

       

Nowadays, English has become the common international language in the 21^st Century. It is the language most frequently used to communicative by people who are not native speakers of the same language. Consequently, learning and using English is of a great importance. Most of the new methods and theories focus on technology applications and investigate its effect on learning. One of the modern theories in teaching language is constructivism theory which focuses on learning by doing and learning through technology. Technology integration is helpful tool which can be use in the classroom to promote learners’ involvement in learning. Moreover, technology can help learners to be responsible for their own learning by providing an independent learning environment.

Computer Assisted  Language Learning (CALL)

          Computer assisted language instruction (CALI), and computer-aided language learning. Call is not a method, but a tool to enable teachers to facilitate language learning process. Learners and teachers can benefit from CALL systems, because they offer learners the chance to practice extra learning material at their convenient time in a stress-free environment.

Technology from the Point of View of Constructivism

There are two major types of constructivism, cognitive social, that can extrapolate with the use technology in the classroom.

-          Cognitive constructivism refers to the student-centred aspects. Students are not passive recipients of learning; they sonstruct their own knowledge from information received.

-          Social constructivism refers to student assistance. More advanced students help other students understand ideas or concepts beyond their baseline level of understanding.

          The one who constructs knowledge and meaning, linking incoming or new knowledge and information to existing knowledge.

PBL is based on constructivist pedagogy which intends to engage learners in deep learning process with issues and questions thatare rich and relevant to the topic of lesson. PBL offers a specific type of learning in which learners are expected to use technology in meaningful ways to help them investigate, learn or present their knowledge.

Case Study

           In the case institute, learners attend English classes 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. As part of learning method in this institute, learners are required to use a computer program within their daily life activities which tests their English skills in different components of language namely reading, writing, conversation, and grammar. The computer program is a self-practice test and allows learners to finish the assignments at their own pace and helps them to improve their skills by making them find the correct answer before being able to proceed to the next skill.

Empirical Study

           The perception do learners on the effects of the provided computer program on improving their English and learning that specific component were investigated. Learners were given a questionnaire at the end of academic semester and were 

supposed to measure their perception on the effectiveness of the computer program by making it as either “not helpful” or “completely helpful”

Overall, 106 International learners attending the case institute took part in this study by completing the distributed survey.

Finding and Discussion

Table shows Effects of Computer Aided Learning

Group	English Learning	Component
		Reading	Writing	Conversation	Grammar
No. of Participants	106	56	63	34	16
Helpful	95	52	58	28	16
Not helpful	11	4	4	6	0
% Helpful	89.6%	92.9%	93.5%	82.4%	100%
% Not Helpful	10.4%	7.1%	6.5%	17.6%	0

This study proved that in modern language learning methods derived by project based learning, computer application will enhance the learning ability of the learners and help them improve their English skills.