Assignment 1 : Article Review

Article Review:

Facilitating Second Language Acquisition Through Computer Assisted Language Learning

INTRODUCTION

In this modern era, technology such as computer as important in completing tasks as it helps to ease the performance and more output will be resulted. Also, it helps in learning process; language acquisition and application English language skills; writing, reading, speaking and listening skills. This article is written by Kimberly Johnson Cobb. The researcher conducted a research on the benefits of computer assisted learning language (CALL) among high school ESOL students in the small rural town in Southwest Georgia especially in language acquisition. Based on the article, one of the most important reasons of using the computer is its unique ability to deliver materials that meet the needs of the individual learner and also for group performance.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this research is to examine how students in the rural area of Southwest Georgia who primarily use a non- English language perceive CALL; in this research, the program used is NovaNET as a tool of Learning English. It also examine on the teachers’ side of learning this language through the use of the software. In addition, this research is conducted to propose what are the language learning experiences using NovaNET and how to improve the learning process of 10^th grade ESOL class through the use of such software based on the researcher’s interview and observations.

METHODOLOGY

This study was conducted in a rural town high school in Southwest Georgia. Nine of 1400 students in the grades 10-12 who enrolled in the ESOL course; 10^th grade World Literature Course were selected for this research. The class was heterogeneously mixed and the English language proficiencies were varied due to different language spoken as the first language. The participants consisted of two Indian students whose native tongue was Gujarati, four Hispanic students whose native tongue was Spanish (two were English non-speakers), and three Chinese students whose native tongue was Mandarin. They were age between 15- 16 years old.

From this research, it shows that the school had been implemented CALL through the use of interactive software called NovaNET. This software used by the school in co-operation with students for all subjects areas especially for those who failed some portion of Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT). This program focuses on the language acquisition of students through the language use when they interacted with the English content of the specific software. Teachers at that school were given training on how to use the software before they can apply the technique to their students.

In conducting the research, each selected students were agreed to participate and consent from the parents were given too. Observation and records were done based on the multiple aspects of the students experience using the ESOL content in NovaNET software. These selected students were tested on both verbal and written form. Interpreters were needed in the early experiment in order to help the students understand what is required by the researcher.

The research started with the researcher’s interviews with the selected students on their perception towards their language learning. Also, the researcher interviewed them on their experience using computers in language learning process and their confidence level towards CALL impact on their language learning.

The experiment was conducted three days per week for five weeks. The time allocation was 90 minutes each session; at least 30 minutes for completing the solitary work, 15 minutes on pair or group work on NovaNET content and the rest was for classroom activities. Specific activities mainly taken from the NovaNET software and drill programs were given to them such as grammar practice.

At the last stage of experiment, these students were asked to reflect their overview toward language learning through CALL in written form; a summary of what they had learnt through this program and their experiences using computer in language learning. The researcher recorded the students’ performance without correcting their English grammar and vocabulary due to his main focus; the content uttered by those participants.

FINDINGS

The researcher suggested from the experiment, the NovaNET is the most appropriate and suitable CALL tool for her research. The NovaNET program was primarily used for individual and self-study work, however, its use was maximized by having students to do collaborative work occasionally. She suggested the students’ performance were increased if they were collaborated with their partners in doing the class activities.

The result showed by the participants was fairly impressive, although there are still some students who have little prior experience working with computers or software because only one of them got access to computer at home. However, all of them reported that they have no fear the computers, and they have the desire to learn more by using computers. From the result, the students’ test percentage is increasing after they were exposed to the computer and used the software; NovaNET in their language learning but only one from these nine students shows no development throughout the program and another one student shows a decrease in terms of language learning process using computer.

Some students may prefer to experience language learning using computer because computer assisted is more prevalent than teacher- led instruction. But, one of the students preferred teacher- led instruction due to inability to understand basic computer functions. This would show that the student never experience any computer using due to the economic status of the family. As the result of the experiment, two of the students show a rapid development in language learning whereby they volunteered to answer question without any interpreter as they need an interpreter in the early stage of experiment. From this result, it shows that the confidence level in terms of speaking is increased. However, there are restrictions such as difference in personality, lack of motivation, sexism, racism, and economic status restricted them to achieve success in language learning. And the most vital that derived them to not acquire English language well is that their own native language often used at home.

RELATIONSHIP TO THE HISTORY OF CALL

The research shows the application of structuralism approach or can be called as behaviorist approach. In this research, the researcher used computers as mechanical tutors. The students were introduced to computer assisted language learning (CALL), and then it is looked to be designed under the influence of behaviorism.

Each student was assigned a task using the computer during their learning process. They became passive learners along the learning process and the computer facilitates them in problem solving because the study was conducted on the students who have no experience of using computer in assisting them in learning. As they conducted the activity, they learnt new experiences especially for those who do not have the computer since only one from the nine students has a computer at home only for internet surfing and online gaming purposes. As they are comfortable using the computer during the activities, they formed a habit and it shows a positive result of language learning and the computer is the tutor during the learning activities.

However, even though the students were doing activities in group, they are also required to handle parts of it individually; to type, to handle the project description and to start the discussion. They were assisted by the teacher and peers at first. When they are already comfortable with the action, they managed to solve the task individually. And, it shows that the students associated with the learner-approach where the computer plays the role as the student too. This was proved since the research used some aspects of communicative approach too, instead of behaviorism itself. Another aspect of communicative approach which can be found in this study is the process oriented whereby the focus is emphasized on the use of the forms rather than the forms itself. The students learn how to use the software in their language learning instead of only have the information of the software and the computer is only the tool in the learning process.

CONCLUSION

The implication of this study towards language learning shows that CALL software facilitates the students in language acquisition. Throughout this study, it illustrates these students improved their confidence level as the computer assists them in language learning due to a new experience in language learning. In addition, the computer interaction enhances the communication skill of the students throughout the classroom activities; pair or group work that needed them to communicate in English with their partners. At first, these students often asked helps from the teacher and peer tutors. However, they managed to do activities provided in the software by their own after they get used to the computer basic function.

To conclude this review, we believe CALL should be implemented in all levels of education not only restricted to language learning but to other various field of education. Various researches including the study Cobb did have shown positive results in developing the language acquisition especially English language. Computer assists the language learners to be more independent in observing and acquiring new idea of what they are learnt differed from classrooms activities conducted by one-to-one teacher. And it offers them the variety of options in working out their learning activities any time they like and they would enjoy the learning activities without being depressed of time consumption. However, it would be happened if every home got their own personal computer. In school, time constraint limits the use of computer in learning activities as the school does not provided every each student with a computer for each person. Also, geographical setting is important too to the development of technologies. Nowadays, each home at urban areas would have at least one computer at home unfortunately not to rural areas such as stated in the Cobb’s research place; Southwest Georgia, only one student got his computer at home and the rest not. Another important aspect is the economic status that would enable people to own a computer which we cannot get the idea in the study done by Cobb. These two aspects can be seen in the research are important in getting the idea of developing technologies such as computer as then can develop the learning activities especially the English language learning, hence, it could help students in acquiring non-native language more rapidly in terms of time consumption. Therefore, lots of CALL benefit in language learning, so we would suggest that teachers should introduce language software, language sites and expose the students to the computer use in teaching during class hour and later they can continue the activity at home.

REFERENCE
Cobb, K.J. Facilitating second language acquisition through computer assisted language learning. Retrieved at http://teach.valdosta.edu/are/Artmanscrpt/vol1no1/cobb_am.pdf/ Jan 8, 2011

Prepared by :
Nur Farhinaa bt. Othman (0712128)
Nur Aisyah bt. M. Ridzuan (0712496)
Hafizani bt. Hamid (0716538)
Siti 'Aishatul-Humairah bt. Mohammad Fisol (0710640)