USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN EFL
CLASSROOM IN NEPAL 1
Background
of the study
Although the number of
schools and classrooms using technology in instruction is increasing, but I was
not familiar with technology while learning English language. Evidence that use
of technology in instruction is useful, necessary, and cost-effective is also
required by educational administrators, policy and decision makers. Only I know
about the use of technology while I joined Kathmandu University for further
study.
When
I joined Kathmandu University for my Masters level program in English Language
Teaching, I felt very difficult to use technology in learning English and
communication. I felt difficulty in listening, expressing ideas and writing. As
I was new for using technology for academic purpose, I need to more exposure
about using technology. I was completely unknown about how to present my topic
through power point presentation?, how I can do my assignment on laptop? How can I listen
audio file of different chapter for understanding? Later on, I found that
Kathmandu University is using technology as a tool of teaching English
language. So, I felt very interesting to learn English language by use of technology.
I am going to talk about how different technology
are using in ELT classroom in Kathmandu University and how it helped
me for developing English language and communication.
What kinds of technology are used in ELT
classroom?
There are so many technology that we can use for learning language. But
mostly in ELT classroom we are using Computer, mobile, internet, PPT , sound
system etc. all these technology are very useful for language learning.
Computer helps to show how we can learn language and it show different videos
of using English language. Crystal, D (2006) says that computer as ‘medium’
emphasizes the communicative agency of language learners, who express
themselves and interact with other people through the computer.
Hubbard and Siskin (2004) says
that the use of computer can categorize in terms of three metaphors: computer
as a ‘tutor’, computer as a ‘tool’ and computer as a ‘medium’. Mobile can be
used for recording the lecture and listening. It helps to get comprehension
about lecture and increasing listening power. PPT helps to presant our content
related to language. It helps to increase expressing power. It makes us using
English language fluently.
Developing listening skill through technology.
According to Harmer (2003),
listening skill is one of the important skill for language learning. So I need
to learn listening skill for learning English language. For this I used to use
mobile phone. When my teacher delivers his lecture, at that time I recorded his
voice and when I return back to my home I used to listen that recording. It
helped me to increase listening capacity. Now it helped me and I have increased
my listening power.
How
technology developed my writing skill?s
Before I joined Kathmandu University, I
used to write everything in my note book. So, I used to do a lots mistake in my
writing. But when I came here it made habituated to write on laptop. It helped
me to find out where I committed mistake. Writing on laptop helped me to write
more academically. As a system of K.U I have to write each and everything on
laptop and print it out for submit to the tutor. So really, it is a good way of
developing writing skill. Now I can write more academically and it has very
less chance to commit mistake.
How technology developed my oral skill?
If
I flash back my previous academic carrier, I am not good speaker of English
language. I could not speak so fluently. I felt very hesitation to speak
English in front of the other speaker of English language. But the technology
that I used in this university like PPT helped me to develop my fluency. In
every subject, there is a presentation as a assignment that we must have to do.
While I prepared for presentation, it helped me to read whatever I wrote in my slide.
And gradually I used to explain the points that I brought in Power Point
Presentation.
My experience about the use of technology in
K.U.
Chappell, Carol A (2003) mention that “use of technology in classroom
effects to make habituated to depend on sources and it destroy the creativity
of students”. But I say ‘no’ because here what I gained about the use of
technology is it helps and supports to learn language and develop communication
skill. One year before, I was not able to communicate in English language
fluently because I had not such kinds of experience in my previous academic
carrier. But now in six month after joining this University I found it amazing.
Use of technology develops not only communication in English but it helped in
my writing skill and listening skill as well.
Conclusion
All in all, technology supports in language learning and communication.
Use of mobile, computer, PPT is very useful for language learners. It helps in
gathering information, practicing language, and writing academically. It has
very less chance to commit mistakes. It shows not only where mistake is but it
shows what is the correct form? In the field of language learning, use of
technology must be effective for language learners.
Reference
1. Crystal,
D.(2006) Language and internet, 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
2. Chappell,
carol A.(2003) English language learning and technology. New York: Oxford
University press.
3. Harmer,
J (2004) Teach English through technology, Rutledge: Routledge press
