How Can Ict Assist Foreign Language Teaching Process

Zaydilbek Marzhan, group 218

Essay on theme:

"How can ICT assist foreign language teaching process?"

With the appearance of internet technologies people have begun to communicate intensively around the globe. That process could not avoid an educational sphere that had required the necessity of a brand new approach in teaching, as well as, foreign language teaching. Thus, information and communication technology in foreign language teaching has been the researchers' focus of attention for more than two decades. The purpose of my essay is to analyze how ICT can assist the process of teaching and learning foreign languages, and to highlight the positive and negative effects of it in order to keep up with the modernized communities in the current digital world.

The term ICT refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. It is similar to information technology (IT), but focuses primarily on communication technologies. This includes the Internet, wireless networks, smart and cell phones, and other communication mediums. As it have been mentioned, we live in the digital world where anyone can get the desired product or service from home just by clicking on it. In this way, enormous quantity of various web sites offered its programs of learning a second language have been increasing day by day. The integration of ICT in teaching and learning is not a method; rather it is a medium in which a variety of methods, approaches and pedagogical philosophies may be implemented (Garret, 1991). This statement shows that the effectiveness of ICT depends on how and why it is applied and integrated. ICT may be applied in different ways – in a classroom or at home, with or without a teacher, emphasizing or minimizing grammar, gradually exposing the learner to native speakers or prompt immersion. Another word, it takes into account the interests and capabilities of the learner that makes the process of language learning more comfortable and motivating.

The Internet opens new horizons for the foreign language student by facilitating communication with native speakers through e-mail and audio-digital conferencing. Radio, television, movies and the Internet bridge physical and cultural distances. Students get acquainted with the ways of life of people whose language they are learning. They can visit the distant places without leaving their home. They see the landscapes, the people and their tradition, thus making learning the language part of a cultural experience.

ICT tools have been actively and widely used in language classes from the initiation of computers into the world due to the fact that language teachers have always been the pioneer of using innovative teaching tools in their classes (Amiri, 2000), however many teachers will try, or are required to use technology without previous experience or adequate training. They lack an adequate understanding of the technology potential and limitations, and they are unable to deal with even the minimum technical glitches that will certainly occur. ICT is a tool to help the teacher and students reach educational tools, and never a goal in itself. As a supplementary tool on the lesson, it will have more affect on students. The most powerful technologies, such as the Internet, are also the most expensive, in the sense that they require existing infrastructure, or a massive initial investment to build this structure (buy computer hardware and software, establish connectivity, pay for services, etc.).

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