Reflection on CALL Experience

“We live in a world in which technological innovation is occurring at a high speed and digital technologies are becoming an integral part of our daily life” (Graham, 2003). As a result, foreign language instructors become more and more interested in incorporating technology into the learning process, and creating more effective learning environments by increasing access and flexibility.


The CALL class was especially beneficial for me because its primary attempt was to answer the question: How to blend face-to face and computer mediated instruction effectively? First of all, as instructors, we have to take advantage of the strengths of each environment and avoid the weaknesses. Moreover, technology should be used to make the lesson more effective and attractive. Thus, the lesson should not seem like separate activities forced together, but it must be a carefully planned learning unit. I firmly believe that if we incorporate technology in any lesson, students achievements would be higher than if we are relying on face-to-face instruction only.

CALL experience

The use of CALL tools in Second/ Foreign Language Acquisition is largely discussed by researchers and practitioners. Most of them argue that CALL tools have the potential to enhance language learning. Some of the pedagogical reasons for incorporating technology into the learning/ teaching process are: more engaging ways to present instructional materials; communicative, meaningful language use; exposure to target culture, use of more authentic materials; repeated practice opportunities.

An effective technique that is often used in teaching second language is blog writing. On the one hand blog writing has the potential to address learners’ needs in order to increase their abilities to communicate effectively through written language, and on the other hand it provides additional opportunities for writing practices. Moreover, blogs have the potential to foster and develop a larger learning community, and provide students with opportunities to organize their own learning. Blogs also give students opportunities to write for a larger audience, and practice fluency and accuracy at the same time. This technique allows students to use the target language in a creative way and engage in collaborative, meaningful activities (such as respond to the writing of their classmates, engage in dialogues).

Second Life

Advantages of Second Life for language Acquisition


Second Life is a program that allows its users to interact with each other through avatars. People who use this program not only “travel” throughout the world, but could also participate in various group activities. Because of its characteristics, Second Life is used for language instruction by many educational institutions. This program offers different, more engaging ways to expand a foreign language instruction. It is flexible and easy to be accessed by students and instructors. Thus, students could engage in interactive and collaborative use of the language by engaging in communicative/ meaningful activities (no drills, no memorizing, and no repetition). Most importantly, learners are exposed to the target culture (visiting authentic places; Moscow, for example, if they are studying Russian). By using Second Life, students not only have many language practice opportunities, but the learning process appears to be also personalized. The users of Second Life have the opportunity to decide how and where and with whom to practice the target language.

Disadvantages of Second Life for Language Acquisition

I do not see any disadvantages in terms of Second Language Acquisition. However, instructors have to plan some time for teaching the students how to use the program for language acquisition/practice.

Videoconferencing

I think that Meebo could be especially beneficial to foreign language instruction. One thing about Meebo that I like most is that the program allows us to have videoconferencing with native speaker. Thus Meebo not only provides an opportunity for authentic audience, but foreign language learners could be exposed to authentic input when engaging in conversations with native speakers. Meebo provides opportunities for negotiation of meaning, practicing pronunciation, exchanging of cultural information, and identifying gaps in the language through output activities.