Language and Technology: Teaching and Learning Methods for Future Generations

Just as the name suggests “language and technology” refers to all those ways individuals are taught language skills using technological advancements.

SEE ALSO: Top 5 English Learning Apps for Kids

Long gone are the times when teachers used blackboards to teach young ones; how letters are shaped, words are formed and sentences are structured.  These days internet provides humans with better options, the digital tools appeal to human eyes in a different manner and hence chip in the element of fun in the learning process.  Where we see a dramatic increment in number of students whose first language is not English it is important we devise unique and feasible methods to facilitate English learning.

May the students be ELL (English language learners) with a limited English proficiency, or simply foreign individuals planning for TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) or TEFL, the core need remains the same: opt for the best language practices!

When it comes to technological tools facilitating learning of grammar and language skills, the few very renowned and helpful ones are:

Interactive white board

This is a large interactive display connected to a computer.  It functions like a mouse, responding to the users input.  It is the most effective tool that can be used in classrooms.  It records bits of information that the teacher presented during lectures which can be later reviewed by students.  A teacher may jot down key pointers related to the learning program or subject matter which students may later retrieve for better assistance.
 

Classroom flipping

Another great idea that introduces learning in a pretty fashionable manner is classroom flipping.  Where classrooms have become hubs of personalized attention from teachers, homes have become centers of online learning.  Many academic institutes have revolutionized using this approach.  For language learning, tools like: Prezi, Screencast-o-Matic, Voice Thread, Captivate, PowerPoint, Camtasia, and YouTube fall under the category of flipped learning.  They provide individuals the opportunity to freely curate and communicate content in form of videos, slides and images.  

Social media tools

Must have heard of social media language learning (SMLL)? This is the best part, where technology creeps in the communication network of students and teachers enhancing it tremendously.  Twitter for instance caters few very helpful learning platforms such as: CambridgeWords, English247, BBCle, EnglishTips4U, LearnEnglish_BC.  Apart from this INSTAGRAM has boomed with a novel concept of learning through visual aids and PINTEREST also follows the pied piper lead.  Many instructors also consider creating a FACEBOOK page that their pupils can ‘like’.  They post updates in different languages encouraging non-native speakers to translate them.  Moreover blogging on TUMBLR may also be used as an inspirational technique that motivates learners to submit their precise views and ideas in English.
 

Apps and techs

Since the advent of remarkable OS like android and iOS, new applications pop up every other second of the day.  There is a list of apps offered by iOS such as: Nearpod, Coursmos, Notability, PlanBook Touch, Evernote.  All of them are some amazing mini digital forums that help non-native speakers learn English without facing problems.  These foster improved communication skills, help them get better jobs, give lessons confidently, and above all get good grades.  For android the best options are: Busuu, Fluent English,Listen & Speak, EnglishPodcast for Learners.

The teaching styles are changing and therefore learning methods need a metamorphosis too, the final word is that Technology aims at preparing the most delicious bowl of noodles for hungry English language learners.

Author Bio: Martin Berk is an educational expert at Courseworkspot.co.uk, a UK based coursework consultancy service in UK, where his goal is to help students with their educational problems.  Along with it, he is also a major contributor to more similar academic consulting services.

Photo credits: cmm225430