Teaching Reading Through Computer-Assisted Language LearningTariq Muhammad Bhatti 2013
›Introduction:
The
field of computer assisted language learning (CALL) is concerned with the
skills related to language learning. One important skill is reading. Since the
early appearance of CALL reading activities have existed. That time, it was
known that computer assist in developing reading skill in three ways; 1)
promoting reading strategies and automatically by controlling what
the readers saw and how long the saw it, 2)providing comprehension and
exercises. 3) and by presenting glosses and comprehension aids(Hubbard,
2014) . In this presentation an experimental study will be discussed in
relate to using computer to teach reading a foreign language.
›The aim of the study:
- The problem faced in this study is that
children do not have a chance to develop their reading skills.
-So the study was conducted to prove how students
can improve their reading skills through computer.
› The methodology:
Subjects:
Ø The participants were Male students
from the same secondary school in Pakistan.
Ø They were two groups (the
experimental group and the control group) each group was comprised of 30
students.
Ø All participant were from the
9th grade in the age of 15 to 17.
Ø A year long study 2010 – 2011.
›
The procedures of the study:
1- a) 24 lessons on reading skills were offered
to the experimental group with the help of computers including images, sounds,
graphs, and animation.
b) The same 24 lesson on reading skills were
offered to the controlled group with the help of simple texts were given in a
traditional instructor led- class.
›
2- a) The students were given pre- and post-
tests and demographic questions.
b) The students were given developed pre-
and post- tests and demographic questions.
-” The specification of the test was that there
were five passages used in the pre-‐and post-‐tests, for which 16 items were
used. Out of the 16 items, eight items were on a literal level, five were on an
inferential level, and three were on an evaluative level. Participants also
filled out forms to provide data about their social status, use of computers at
home, access to computers in school and their medium of instruction.”(Bhatti,
2013).
› The result:
- According to The null hypothesis, both
groups showed the same readability index of the text and
the same results out of the tests.
- According to the alternative hypothesis, both
groups showed statistical differences in the pre- and post test.
The Findings:
- CALL provided a self-paced and
motivating language‐learning environment.
- The use of computers can promote the
effectiveness of reading material in terms pronunciation, vocabulary, use of
words in different contexts, and comprehension.
- CALL approach assisted students more in
developing three levels of reading skills i.e., literal level, inferential
level, and evaluative level.
- CALL still demands more efforts on the part of
the teachers, especially in the selection and use of application software.
Conclusion:
The author has concluded
that CALL showed positive results in improving the reading skills. He suggested
that teachers should prepare them selves and use computer in teaching.
My Conclusion:
I think this study
can be of a great benefit to develop the educational process. Because for me as
a student or even as a teacher I find learning through computers very
entertaining and motivational. And I suggest that learning should done through
CALL in every country not only in Pakistan.
›
References:
› Hubbard,
P.(2014).Lecture 1:CA 94305-2150 [Pdf] [Lecture notes]. USA, Stanford:
University of Stanford.
› Bhatti, T,
M. (2013). Teaching English as a Second or a Foreign Language. Teaching
Reading Through Computer-Assisted Language Learning, 17(2), 1-11.
Retrieved from The Electronic Journal for English as a Second Language.
By: Jood-San
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