#39, Global – Macmillan’s new general English course
Macmillan is launching Global - a new general English course in 2010. Here's what the Macmillan English team says about Global: A few weeks ago we introduced you to Global -…
#39, Research Article: Barriers: As Tools for Language Acquisition by Murali Vemula
Research Article: Barriers: As Tools for Language Acquisition
by Murali Vemula
Introduction:
Despite the apparent complexity of language, nearly every human being masters its use in the first then years of life. We would like some theory to explain the phenomenon. Ideally, such a theory should explain processes that lead from native to sophisticated language use. The natural places to turn for such process descriptions are the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cognitive science. In particular, one should look for machine learning. In this paper, we examine their implications for theories of language acquisition. We begin by reviewing for basic learning skills that have been the focus of the machine learning work, describing each in terms of a common framework. We then turn to the task of grammar learning, comparing and contrasting it with other learning skills. (more…)
#39, Research Paper: Technology in Teaching Language Skills by Nikhil Joshi
Technology in Teaching Language Skills
by Nikhil Joshi, Lecturer in Language & Communication Skills, GCET, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat-India.
Abstract
In 21st century, at every single step of life we do face technology in various forms. In each and every field humans have taken the help of technology and have made life easier and better. As educators, if we look at the field of education, we can easily find technology in various forms helping us to making teaching-learning process a better one. This paper focuses on major areas of technology being used for educational purpose and it also shows and emphasizes on some innovative techniques of using technology in the field of education, especially in teaching language skills.
The psychological concept of learning goes far beyond learning directly from teacher or learning through study. It does not refer only to learning of skills or acquisition of knowledge but also refers to learning to learn and learning to think. On the basis of this concept we can make a ground where technology can help us to make our students learn how to learn learning and how to learn thinking. Especially when we talk about language skills, we must use technology deliberately for the betterment of learners in their learning process. Language teaching activities are intended to bring all about language learning. In today’s era it is very essential that we make our learners techno-savvy and make their learning effective. For that we need to encourage the use of technology in language classes. Why do we always go with a grammar book/text book in language class? Is that what we do mean by language teaching? Why can’t we go with just a pen drive in the classroom? We can use audio-video tapes to make them learn language skills. We can use some CD-ROM material to make them learn how to learn. Generally language teachers tend to teach with oral method and it becomes merely an aural exercise for the learners. We should more and more use techno-form of language teaching to make our learners aware of language learning. It also gives a new age feel to the entire teaching-learning process. Here in this paper I have focused on use of various technology-forms that can be used in teaching language skills and have tried to make it clear how teachers can make language learning more focused with the use of technology. (more…)