As technology continues to advance and become implemented into more aspects of our daily life, it is also becoming more involved in the ways in which we learn. For teachers and students of ESL, technology can prove to be a useful resource in ensuring that students have the opportunity to learn at their maximum potential. Whether used as a resource for learning in a classroom setting or for individual study outside of the classroom, technology has earned its place within the development of learning. After researching technology in an ESL context, I have seen the benefits to using technology in the classroom for teaching a second language and for individuals to have the resources and tools to study outside of the classroom setting.
For those who are studying ESL, technology is a resource with unlimited potential that can help to increase success. According to chapter 12 of “Teaching by Principles,” there are several beneficial uses of technology in teaching ESL. The chapter states several benefits and applications of technology in learning including opportunities for cross-cultural learning, reading and writing, and grammar and vocabulary practice (Teaching by Principles). One important factor to consider when teaching ESL or any language are the ways to teach the culture associated with a language. In some instances, we may be far removed from the culture relative to the language being learned or taught. Technology then becomes a resource in which one can access a great array of information regarding those cultures. The text mentions online videos, blogs, visual images, and photos as a way of offering “a rich storehouse of world history and cultural information (Teaching by Principles).” In this way, technology helps to assist in the teaching culture and language in conjunction with one another. Teaching reading and writing can also be done through the use of technology. One example that stood out to me was the use of e-readers, especially the use of their translation features (Teaching by Principles). Students could use e-readers for classroom readings and use translation features for things that they don’t understand. This puts it above the use of textbooks since students who are struggling to understand a reading would have the tools to better understand it in one space. Lastly, grammar and vocabulary learning can be used with technology. In my own experience in Spanish courses in college, we had online assignments which included weekly vocabulary modules. They were accompanied by assignments where we had to translate the word into Spanish and then use the word in a grammatically correct way in a paragraph that we would write. When used in a classroom setting, technology has the ability to be a great resource for language learners.
Technology is also useful for ESL students outside of the classroom. One aspect that stood out to me from the reading was email and conferencing (Teaching by Principles). When students are not in a classroom, they have less resources for help. However, technology helps students to reach out to their teacher for assistance and guidance even when they are not physically present. This allows students to receive a teacher's help with things they may be struggling with where otherwise they would have to find help on their own or wait till the next time the class met. This can help to ensure that a student is learning at a proper pace and could not be done without the assistance of technology. There are a great deal of resources online that can help students in their individual study. Some of these resources include sites like Quizlet and apps like Duolingo, which was an idea that was frequently repeated in our class discussion. These tools can be used by anyone with access to the internet and can help students studying language outside of the classroom. This is especially important as learning is not and should not be limited to a classroom setting. Resources like these allow for teachers and students to communicate with one another when needed and are a great opportunity for study and learning a language.
Technology is a resource which, when used properly, can be a beneficial supplement to the teaching and learning of another language. When used in a classroom setting, technology can be used to help teach and reinforce the importance of the merger of culture and language, improve the efficiency of readings through the use of e-readers, and help with learning vocabulary and grammar. Outside of the classroom, technology can serve as a way for students and teachers to interact with one another and as a resource that can be used for independent study. Considering all the information, technology and education should not be separated. While learning should not be dependent or replaced by technology, the benefits it brings to the learning process cannot be ignored. In the case of ESL, technology serves as a valuable tool and resource that can help learners to improve their skills and understanding of another language.
Work Cited
Brown, Henry Douglas, and Heekyeong Lee. “Technology In Language Learning And Teaching.” Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy, Pearson Education, White Plains, NY, 2020, pp. 237–256