CALL Computer Assisted Language Learning

The Role of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) in EFL Classroom

In general, there are many roles of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) for language teaching and learning such as tool or media in language teaching, source of material for learning, tutor, simulator etc (Smaldino 2005:111)[1]. Levy (1997[2]) states that computers are often said to play at least three roles in the classroom: tutor, teacher, and tool.

This article, however, there are only two roles of the computer, first, it can be regarded as tool or media in EFL classroom. The second, it is viewed as tutor in EFL classroom (Smaldino 2005). In the following sections, the roles of computers will be discussed clearly.

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Computer as tool or Media

The role of the computer-as-tool or media for language teaching and learning has been widely discussed. Ahmad et al. (1985) tesolgreece.com stress that the computer is just a tool without any inborn wisdom or a mind of its own, that the computer itself is incapable learning or teaching and that it can only perform the exact instructions given by a human user, without which it is powerless. Philips likewise notes that the computer was only a tool used to augment human capabilities (1987, www.tesolgreece.com[3]). The view of computer as a tool or media for language teaching and learning has also become more prevalent with the advent of the multimedia computer and the Internet (Warschauer, 2001[4]).

Networked computers and multimedia made both synchronous and asynchronous global communication possible and provided learners with unprecedented access to a wide range of authentic materials, which were regarded as essential to learning a second language (Darhower, 2002; Warschauer, 2001; Yang, 1998[5]). Computer also will give many simulation and exposures to the students through its software (Smaldino 2005).

Some students in learning found that the students had ample exposures and simulation from the computers. As we know that the term exposure refers to the access, in which the students can see the use of the target language in their real life such as advertisement, entertainment, announcement (Pinter 2006: 39[6]). This

concept is strongly associated with the American psychologist B.F. skinner (1904-1990, as cited in Hughes, 2002: 17[7]). According to Skinner, the philosophy behind behaviorist models is that learning takes place through interaction with the world through exposure to examples, through positive and negative stimuli, and trial and error rather than from any inner faculty (cited in Hughes, 2002: 17).

Computer as TutorThe assumptions underlying the computer-as-tutor role are that the computer is a temporary substitute for the teachers and working with the computer as tutor can occur outside the classroom without a teacher present (Levy, 1997[8]). The computer-as-tutor has its theoretical roots in behaviorism and programmed instruction, which assume that extensive drill and practice are the keys to second language acquisition (Levy, 1997).Click CALL Computer Assisted Language Learning to read complete article.