CALL: Computer-Assisted Language Learning (website)

Few days ago, I went to a user friendly website called "CALL", and it was created by Erica M. Rosch, University of Wisconsin-Madison. This wonderful website provides a lot of information about specialized topics within the broad category of computer-assisted language learning, as well as CALL links for every language taught at the UW-Madison. Moreover, like all websites, “CALL” is a work in progress maintained through continual attempts to keep the pages updated with current, accurate information, which I think is very responsible. Though I'm not planning to be a teacher in the future, but if I’m going to cite the resource from this website, I can get the latest one. That is really good.

Here are five directions she offered to help a language teacher to incorporate some sort of computer technology into your to CALL classes.

I. Commercial Software (CD-ROMs)
There are several language CD-ROMs and diskettes on the market that could be useful to you. As a language teacher, your job would be to become familiar with what's available, decide how the software can best supplement your class instruction, and then create assignments for your students to work with them in the Multimedia Lab. Some CDs seem to replace the traditional audio tape & workbook; others provide new types of learning activities. Some examples of software that fits into this category are:

1. Practice Makes Perfect (French/German/Spanish)
2. Let's Visit...(Mexico, South America, Spain, France)
3. Video Linguist (French/Spanish)
4. The Rosetta Stone (French/German/Spanish/Russian, ESL)
5. German the Easy Way

This is the easiest and least time-consuming way to get started, but also the least flexible, since you must conform to the structure dictated by the program.


II. World Wide Web
Another way to get started using computer technology is to use the web. From informational pages to interactive exercises, the WWW is an incredible resource for language teachers. Many of you have already done some exploring, and have found useful sites for your classes. Here are some ideas for using sites you come across:

1. Have your students do research on the web.
2. Find sites that explain grammar points, and assign your students to read them.
3. Find sites that have interactive exercises on them and assign them to your students.
4. Find foreign language periodical sites and have your students read them regularly....etc.

If you don't find what you're looking for on the web, you can always make your own home page! LSS currently offers several workshops to help you do this. Click here for more info.

III. Other Internet Applications
The Internet is more than just the world wide web. It's a mode of communication. You can incorporate e-mail activities very effectively into language classes. What easier (and cheaper) way to have your students communicate with native speakers of the language? You can also take advantage of listservs, discussion boards, chat rooms, and MOOs (real-time communication environments).


IV. Presentation Software
Presentation software, such as Powerpoint, Presentations, or Astound, can be used to make slides to accompany lectures & presentations, and to stimulate conversation in the target language. Each slide can present content, or images to describe, or questions for reflection. Presentations can be projected onto a large screen for whole-class viewing, or students can view them on individual computers in the Multimedia Lab at their own pace.


V. Authoring Software
Authoring software allows you to create exercises, language drills and activities for your students, which you can make available in the Multimedia Lab. Examples include: Dasher, Libra, SpeechLab, and Authorware. They vary in flexibility and complexity. Dasher and Libra are simple to learn, and Libra really allows your creative juices to flow...

1. DASHER - This is a rigid template program that allows you to create lesson "Books", made up of "Chapters" that are topic-specific. Your students choose which chapter they'd like to work on (i.e. 'Nouns', 'Future Tense', etc.), and go through the lessons you've created.
2. LIBRA - Similar to Dasher, but much more flexible (NOT more difficult). You create interactive language exercises that can incorporate images, sounds, video clips, and Netscape links.
3. AUTHORWARE - Extremely complex authoring program which allows the highest degree of flexibility and interactivity.