Unit 2-21. NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR NEW CULTURE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING ESP

Guidelines for extensive reading of ESP texts on the use of English for European business

The new technologies and the new culture of teaching and learning English as a lingua franca (ELF) has become an increasingly popular discourse in applied linguistics and current ELT. It has been suggested that, while native speakers and their Englishes have become relatively unimportant in international communication and research interests now fall on non-native speakers and their use of English, utilizing computer technology and its attached language learning programs can be convenient to create both independent and collaborative learning environments.

In the article below, the conceptual and operational framework of new communicative modes is examined underpinning the case for a description of English as a lingua franca. Issues and problems are addressed that need to be taken into account if such teaching and learning technologies are to be implemented in second language pedagogy. (ICT – Information and Communications Technologies)

The study by Iranian researchers Ghasem Modarresi et al.intends to see if, everything else being equal, participants' use of internet and computer technologies really affects their language achievement. It is hypothesized that the combination of computer technology and Internet creates a channel for students to obtain a huge amount of human experience, which affects their language achievement in meaningful ways. The authors argue that introduction of the new media into educational institutions calls for a change in learning and teaching patterns.

Text 2-21. NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN TEACHING AND LEARNING ESP

(Abridged from Ghasem Modarresi et al. New Ways of Teaching English as an international Lingua Franca)

Introduction

Computer has now become an effective component of second language learning pedagogy. Professionals in ELT, nowadays, recognize that utilizing computer technology and its attached language learning programs can be convenient to create both independent and collaborative learning environments and provide students with language experiences as they move through the various stages of second language acquisition (Lam, 2000).The practice of sharing resources, materials and ideas is one of the assumed advantages of email communication (Vinagre, 2008). Other perceived benefits refer to availability at any time, spreading the news quickly fostering social communication, and encouraging equal opportunity for participation in social interactions (Warschauer, 1999).

The combination of computer technology and Internet creates a channel for students to obtain a huge amount of human experience and guide students to enter the “Global Community” (Crystal, 1999). In this way, students not only can extend their personal view, thought, and experience, but also can learn to live in the real world. They become the creators not just the receivers of knowledge. And, “as the way information is presented is not linear, second language learners can still develop thinking skills and choose what to explore” (Lee, 2000).

Moreover, learners can get various authentic reading materials either at school or from home by connecting to the Internet. And, those materials can be accessed 24 hours a day. In a word, computer technology also provides the interdisciplinary and multicultural learning opportunities for students to carry out their independent studies (Baruch, 2005). For learning interaction, Warchauer (2000) indicated that the random access to Web pages would break the linear flow of instruction. By sending E-mail and joining newsgroups, second language learners can also communicate with people they never met before and interact with their own teachers or classmates. Shy or inhibited learners can be greatly benefited through the individualized technology-learning environment, and studious learners can also proceed at their own pace to achieve higher levels.

Surfing internet has many advantages. It is something enjoyable, moreover if we understand about it. By searching internet people know the current things. Nowadays, searching internet is developed a lot and known everywhere because of the effect of globalization era on information sector (Graddol, 1997).

Moreover, searching internet is very advantageous for English students, not only as something enjoyable but also as motivation to learn English. Finally, the students can also learn a lot of things from searching internet such as – grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, style, intonation even culture, habits, etc., from the sources directly.

Bloch (2002) argues that “computer users often act as if they were participating in face-to-face interactions, introducing conventions and personal feelings normally used in non-computer contexts. Misunderstandings or conflicts that might be rectified immediately in a face-to-face context may continue indefinitely when email is used”.