-
-
After World War II creation of language laboratory.
Pedagogical method – audio-lingual. This entailed repetition, substitution drills. -
Used: Audio tapes, high-speed copiers, textbooks with tapes Shortfall: This method declined as tapes seen as boring by students, Students used wrong approach to listening exercises as they were not supervised.
Audio lingual method became less preferred. -
FL methodologists looked at Computer Assisted language Instruction
-
Depended on access to computers
Programmed especially to provide immediate feedback as in FL exercises -
Students had to use public place, sit in carrel, to do repetitious work, use unfamiliar technology, variety of user interfaces (especially with respect to foreign characters), challenges with new and exciting graphics and visual vocabulary from programmes such a MTV.
-
Hardware and software more reliableIncreased compatibility between systems like Macintosh and Windows platformsTechnology afforded networking and more collective endeavors for education.
-
The dawn of a new era as Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) was introduced.
-
Improvement in Multimedia capabilities: CD-ROM
-
Improvement in Multimedia capabilities: Midi ports
-
Internet allowed for authentic language to learners direct and indirect exposure to target culture
-
EASE OF ACCESS
Operating systems like Windows created user friendly interface, made internet access easier.
Foreign Language Instruction became marketable especially for businesses. -
WITH THE INTERNET:
The FL world can come here as students as they no longer have to travel to be exposed to an authentic FL experience.
