Computer Assisted Language Learning

CALL is an approach of teaching learning language that use computers in the process of it. Computers in here are usually used as a media to give the material, giving assessment, delivering presentation, and any other things that aim the teaching learning process.

According to (Levy: 1997:1)  More specifically, CALL is the use of computer technologies that promote educational learning, including word processing, presentation packages, guided drill and practice, tutor, simulation, problem solving, games, multimedia CD-ROM, and internet applications such as e-mail, chat and the World Wide Web (WWW) for language learning purposes.

In the other word, by Using CALL teacher will be made easier because of all the easy of teaching process. As a teacher you can make an interactive class through a presentation, make an interesting class by giving the material through a game, and many more. As we look from the side of students, they can also get much advantages from CALL. They can be easier on understanding the material through all those media in CALL, they can enjoy the learning process because a fun environment can be made in it.

According to Chi-Fen Emily Chen, there are 4 CALL programs/materials include (from ICT4LT Module 1.4): 

- CALL-specific software: applications designed to develop and facilitate language learning, such as CD-ROMs, web-based interactive language learning exercises/quizzes (see CD-ROM examples for language learning)

- Generic software: applications designed for general purposes, such as word-processors (Word),  presentation software (PowerPoint, see an e-book made by students "Many Moons"), and spreadsheet (Excel), that can be used to support language learning (see examples of usingExcel for language learning & teaching)  *Also see Microsoft Office Online Templates)

- Web-based learning programs: online dictionaries, online encyclopedias, online concordancers, news/magazine sites, e-texts, web-quests, web publishing, blog, wiki, etc.

- Computer-mediated communication (CMC) programs: synchronous - online chat; asynchronous - email, discussion forum, message board

There are some reason why teacher prefer to use CALL in the language teaching process:

1.      Computers can do some of the work of the teacher and provide great assistance to the learner even without the presence of the teacher (Pennington and Steven, 1992).

2.      New technologies have seen computers become smaller, faster, and easier for the teacher to use (Evy, 1997). At present, well-designed CALL software is readily available to the teacher.

3.      Technologies allow computers to do multimedia applications, incorporating video, sound, and text, and this capacity allows the learner to interact with both the program and other learners. (Felix, 1998).

4.      The computer offers great flexibility for class scheduling and pacing of individual learning, choosing activities and content to suit individual learning styles. (Oxford and others, 1998)

5.      The computer can provide a meaning-focused, communicative learning environment, which serves the purposes of communicative language teaching.

As we live in modern era, all what we do is always accompanied by sophisticated technologies that will make us easier on doing our activities. We have to be familiar with them and be able to make the most of it, because if we don’t, we will pass some easy of doing things. However, we do not have to leave another traditional way on teaching language, because sometimes it will be more appropriate and simpler than using CALL. In the other words, teacher should be able to choose the best way on the teaching process based on the situation and condition.