Intensification
of learning a foreign language using computer technology
Introduction
lesson english language computer
National Compulsory Educational Standard of the republic of Kazakhstan states as one of the primary goals of education «development of the multilingual personality with the basic national and world cultural values, ready for socio-cultural interaction and self-realization» along with «building up communicative competence on the basis of state and other socially important languages acquisition»., the schooling system faces the task of presenting new approaches to learning, guiding children to such ways of thinking and interacting, that would be useful in solving any problem arising in front of them at any age. Acquisition of home and world culture achievements; state, Russian and foreign languages acquisition are among objectives of system of education in Kazakhstan.final qualitative result of realization of the foreign language education content is defined as intercultural communicative competence. The model of education belongs to competence-building ones, which are oriented on the development of personality that can be the subject of intercultural communication.theme of our research is «Intensification of teaching English with the help of computer technologies». The urgency of investigation in this sphere is connected with the fact that today we have reached the stage where changes occur so rapidly that each of us has continuously to work out a practical code of behavior for a better adjustment. The nature and direction of changes taking place around the world, and more precisely within the educational system, reinforce the need for a new approach based mainly on the recent technologies of the century.to the fact, that our society belongs to the age of computer technologies, we have an opportunity to process data more efficiently. Moreover this opportunity allows to process more information, than we were able to do before. Huge volume of knowledge, which was storing by mankind during centuries, makes to look for other ways of organization of teaching process.computer has brought a revolution in education. Unlike most machines that are capable of only a few tasks, computer can be programmed to perform a great number of tasks and thus becomes a useful tool in the hand of teachers and learners helping them at any stage of learning process: presentation, learning, and practice including language use., even nowadays the influence of computerization affects indirectly aims and content of high education devoted to foreign languages. Teacher of new generation should be able to choose and use computer technologies which suit content and purposes of teaching and which will help pupils to succeed in harmonious way taking into consideration their personalities. So, analysis of research studies shows us, that in spite of considerable advancement in realization of different computer technologies, their potential is used insufficient because of lack of information about multimedia material, algorithm of its designing and methodological recommendations how to use it., insufficient readiness of methodology in teaching English with the help of computer technologies is the main reason of choice this problem for our research. It consists in search and realization of different types of computer technologies which will be able to improve level of pupils’ knowledge on English.purpose of our work is theoretical examination of major methods of using computer technologies and approbation one of them in the process of teaching English.consistent with mentioned purpose, the hypothesis of our research is based on supposition, that the process of teaching English will run more successfully in the case of designing a model using computer technologies which will take into account peculiarities of teaching English and wear innovative trend at the same time.realization of formulated aims we need to solve the following tasks:
· make a research of theoretical literature (psychological, methodological etc.) which deals with methods of teaching using computer technologies;
· substantiate in theory and check in practice effectiveness of computer designed complex of lessons;
· design methodological recommendations which are based upon results of research.
The object of investigation is a process of teaching English in high schoolsubject of our research is methods of teaching the English lessons with the help of computer technologies.the research, we have used the following methods:
· theoretical (analysis of psychological, pedagogical, methodological literature);
· diagnostic (questionnaire poll, testing, talk, written test);
· observational (direct and indirect pedagogical observation);
· experimental method (statement, formation and test);
· method of statistical inference.is divided into 3 stages.first stage is a search-theoretical. During this stage we study problems of usage of new computer technologies in the process of teaching English, resting upon literature on methodology, psychology, theory of pedagogics; we analyze theoretical bases of personality-oriented education and method of projects, their usage in the process of teaching English; we reveal new computer technologies requirements, which provide development of linguistic and communicative competence and rise in motivation of pupils.second stage refers to research. We approbate a pedagogical experiment: research of results of the usage of computer technologies during the process of teaching; analyze and generalize this experience.third stage is making a conclusion. We finish forming experiment, analyze our experience and summarize our results. The theoretical part of our research is based on works and articles of Zimniya, Kuklina, Mishina, Polat, Teplova, Nehorosheva, Bim, Turkina etc.significance consists in theoretical substantiation of methodics of teaching English with the help of computer technologies.importance of our research consists in work out a complex of lessons and methodological recommendations for organization lessons of foreign language, using computer method of projects.
The beginning of the third millennium is characterized as a transition to the «information society», having the new structure, in which the decisive role is played by industries related to the receipt, distribution and processing of information [1; 51]. This transition is connected with the new «technological revolution», which is characterized by generalized computerization and informatization of society.the dynamic development of information society the development of human resources is necessary that can meet the requirements of the information age through education and lifelong learning to meet the growing demand for professionals in the field of information technology [2; 86]. That’s why it’s necessary to pay greater attention to basic education, acquired in secondary institutions.can’t deny that information changes, which we face nowadays, are global. Moreover, it’s obvious that there is a necessity of reconsideration of approaches to education as a whole system.development of pedagogics, its freedom from stereotypes and innovative orientation require creative integration of up-to-date methods. Informatization of system of education is a process which provides this field with theory and practice of usage of new computer technologies. The matter is that they are oriented on realization of psychological and pedagogical goals of teachinguse of new technologies in the educational process not only improves the performance level of digestibility of material by students, but also develops their knowledge of the potential of emerging information technologies.of the most effective areas of usage of information technologies are lessons of foreign languages.it, we can’t keep from mentioning that citizens of Kazakhstan should know 3 languages. This is dictated by the necessity and it was repeatedly told by the president of the republic N. Nazarbaev. According to his words, it’s very difficult to speak about genuine competitiveness of the nation if its representatives don’t know English. He says that multilingualism is a norm for Europe and we should also come to such norm. For example, one of the most important factors which led to economic success of Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia was widespread public knowledge of English.main purpose of learning English is the formation and development of the communicative culture of students, teaching practical English language. In this sense, the main task of the teacher is selecting the most effective teaching methods that permit the realization of individual and differentiated approach to learning, taking into account the capacities of children, their level of training, inclinations, etc. [3; 65].trends of globalization, global integration in various fields of economic, technical, cultural, social and personal life make great high demands of the practice of English language [4; 47].of changes in the content of education, the priority role in teaching and educational process belongs to information and communication technologies. Usage of them gives us tremendous opportunities of a computer as a tool for teaching. Computer training programs have many advantages over traditional methods of teaching.allow you to train different types of speech activity, and mix them in various combinations. They help to understand the phenomenon of language, form the linguistic ability to create communicative situations, to automate speech, and as well, they provide the opportunity of leading of representative system, the realization of individual approach and the intensification of independent work of pupils [5; 54].technologies have begun to play an increasingly important role in the teaching of foreign languages. Its use in this context is supported by a growing body of research that highlights the importance of the negotiation of meaning and computer-based interaction in the process of teaching foreign languages. Majority of methodologist point out the importance of computer technology during the process of cognition. It allows pupils to acquire language in meaningful contexts for specific purposes.
The usage of computer during the process of teaching foreign languages influences greatly on effectiveness of educational activities. Computer is a multifunctional technical devise of teaching. It allows to save considerable volume of linguistic material in its memory, to find information which we are interested in and to show it on the screen in the most easy-to-use forms.are 2 fields of application of computers during the process of teaching: computer support of traditional education and education which is realized with the help of a computer.
Personal computer can be used by a teacher for solving some didactic tasks which he can face during the lesson:) Presentation of information in different forms;
b) Formation of common and special knowledge and skills on the subject;) Control, rating and correction of results of teaching;) Organization of individual teaching and group teaching;) Running of the process of teaching.
Computer can be used during all stages of teaching: explanation of new material, its revision and control.of the process of teaching influences greatly on all components of modern educational system and surely, on the subject «Foreign languages» too: its aims, tasks, content, methods, technology.foreign language with the help of computer differs and has its own advantages:
· Pupils are interested in the process of teaching and in result, it leads to high motivation of learning;
· Pupils eagerly «communicate» with computers and it increases not only computer but also linguistic culture;
· Individualization of teaching;
· Computer doesn’t show negative emotions if a pupil repeats his mistakes;
· Objectivity of marks.means that, when we use computer technologies during the lesson of English, a teacher isn’t only carrier and owner of information. It’s much more important to show his creative approach to interpretation of computer programs.main task of pupils isn’t just getting new knowledge but formation of skills which will allow to work with information. We shouldn’t forget that traditional method of teaching is good because of communicative aspect which is realized more effectively. That’s why it’s necessary to combine computer technologies with traditional teaching.computer is regarded as a tool to improve motivation, builds strong language skills and improve the knowledge of English language. The computer stirs up all three channels of perception: auditory, visual and kinesthetic that allows to increase the volume and durability of learning new material, it greatly improves the status of pupils in the teaching process, increases the cognitive activity of them and supports the interest to the subject [6; 25].training programs for English language use different techniques to conduct familiarization, training and supervision of knowledge and skills of pupils. Usage of multimedia programs doesn’t exclude the traditional teaching methods, it’s combined harmoniously with them at every stage of education [7; 47].of computer allows a teacher not only to improve the effectiveness of learning, but also encourage pupils to learn English in the future. These lessons include interactive multimedia content, which allows a teacher to involve pupils in the learning process promoting interest to the studied subject, and better assimilation of the material.Computer programs allow to conduct classes at a qualitatively new level. Visual richness of the educational material makes it vivid, and convincing. Computer presentations allow pupils to focus attention on important points of information and create a visual effect in the form of illustrations, charts, diagrams, graphic compositions [8; 213].creating of lessons, teacher needs to know at least basic knowledge of software applications. According to the fact that lessons with multimedia applications are not so developed in ready materials, a teacher should create missing elements [9; 18]. The computer in this case will perform the following functions:
. Сomputer as a simulator in the process of formation of skills. In order to reach this aim the following programs are used:
· The Microsoft Word - for exercises of spelling of the studied words, building of sentences, the transformation of the sentences and execution of exercises.
· The Microsoft Power Point - using means of this program you can create good exercises for the introduction of new vocabulary and grammar. For example: presentation (lexicon and / or grammar) + a series of exercises (with the control right - wrong) + sound + control test or exercise.
· The Microsoft Excel - with the help of this program you can also create similar exercises with an assessment of the testing, the number of errors made, the return to the incorrect executed sentences.
· The Windows Movie Maker - a program for creating / editing videos. It’s included in the software of Microsoft Windows, beginning with Windows ME. With the help of this program, it’s possible to make slide-shows, edit video, overlay soundtrack, add titles and subtitles etc.
. Сomputer - as a visual aid for the teaching and learning:
· The Microsoft Power Point - the most convenient and simple program for people who do not know programming. With the help of this program you can produce materials of country-specific features, introduce new vocabulary, grammar rules etc.
· The Microsoft Excel - used to show charts, graphs, summary tables.
. Сomputer - as a source of educational information:
· Program Microsoft Word - is used for presentation of the texts in English, information for discussion and debate.
· The Microsoft Excel - for the various charts, graphs, for the analysis and conclusions.
· The Microsoft
Power Point - is used to demonstrate new material. Effecting on all types of
memory (auditory, visual and kinesthetic), such presentation of information is
very effective. It can breathe new life into plans of old lessons and improve
pupils’ motivation because in contrast to simple text they may be added with
pictures, animations, sounds etc. The secret of this program consist in fact
that it’s based on rather effective and interesting classical method - method
of projects.to high level of interactivity, computer technologies create unique
informative environment, which can be used for solution of didactic tasks
during the process of teaching English (for example: cognitive, informational,
cultural). This is one of the most important advantage of computer
technologies. They enclose electronic informative environment, allowing to work
with a computer as with universal device for information processing.of its
novelty computers transform just ordinary task into an adventure, motivating
learners to learn a language because the teacher who uses that «genius tool» in
his class can use different and even more exciting modes than the course book
to present new materials with text, sound video and hypertext facilities
offering high-quality interactive feed back on vocabulary, grammar, language
answers, culture issues, etc., whenever the pupil feels he needs it.fact that
the acquisition process is related to the effort to convey or interpret
meanings and cannot flourish in activities which concentrate on forms has led
several commentators on computer-assisted learning to state that the computer
should be used for formal grammar drilling which favour learning, thus
releasing the teacher to run such forms of activity which will enhance
acquisition. This combination of teacher and computer sounds sensible. Teachers
are good at conveying and interpreting meanings. Computers are good at
processes which require patient repetition and attention to detail., we can’t
keep from underlining that cooperation of teachers and informational computer
technologies is quite effective during the process of teaching English.
Analysis of material which is discussed on
international scientific conferences shows us that the purpose of education
isn’t just knowledge and skills, but also definite qualities of personality.
Post-industrial society is interested in ability to take decisions, adapt to
varying conditions of life, act on one’s own etc., according to the opinion of
E.S. Polat, who is the author of researches on teaching foreign languages,
including the method of projects, «solution of these tasks was rather difficult
because of absence of real conditions for carrying out, in consideration of
traditional approach to education which focuses on class-lessons system» [10; 13].
She supposes that the main task of school doesn’t consist in the content of
education, but in usage of new technologies of teaching.us take the concept of
«projecting» (latin «projectus» - thrown ahead). Speaking about it, we
should pay heed to the fact, that this isn’t a new word in pedagogical theory.
This definition appeared at the end of 70-s in the context of new program which
was offered by Royal college of Art in the Great Britain.on notions of
projecting and technologies of teaching, Polat considers methodology of
projects as a complex of reconnaissance, problem, creative methods which
develop imagination and at the same time they form personality of pupils [10;
67].we have a computer era here. And the function of projects is carried out by
many programs and one of them is Microsoft Power Point. This innovation devise
includes the best experience of the past and something completely new and
effective of our present. Sure, the advent of new technologies in learning
process is always exciting. They add new dimensions to the class and spark
students to higher level of motivation and achievement.of experimental
investigations in this sphere is evidence of conclusion that we need such
teaching material, that could take into account all peculiarities and problems
which we face during the process of teaching. Many authors (Carol A. Pope,
Jeffry N. Golub) find Power Point as a tool which is able to stimulate study of
the foreign languages and consider it as a key to the growth of achievements of
pupils [11; 2].. Bush criticizes this point of view. He says: «Regardless of
the cool transitions, laser-letter effects, and snappy backgrounds, a
PowerPoint presentation that passes on information is not much different than a
chalkboard and overhead lecture» [12; 1]. However we can’t agree with him. The
matter is that comprehension of grammatical and lexical units of foreign
language often causes some difficulties for pupils who study it.methodologists
supposed, that at first children don’t learn relation between a sign and a
meaning, but they learn connection between a word and a subject. It happens
automatically because of our conditional reflex and also because of just simple
contact between two irritants [13; 34].presentation is a workbook of teaching
material on definite themes. The biggest advantage of this program consists in,
that a teacher can use prepared presentation as a whole in part. It depends on
a teacher and purposes of a lesson.technology allows combine successfully
different forms of organization of educational process. It promotes better
interaction among pupils and also the role of a teacher takes another position.
Instead of supervisor he becomes an equal partner and adviser who is always
ready to help in the mastering foreign language.wide usage of illustrations and
Flash-animations in the presentations of this program allows present all
vocabulary of the lesson quite easy and understandably. The great advantage of
this mean is that we don’t need to translate all words in Russian. Foreign
words are associated with pictures and they stay in the memory for a long
time.of imposition of new words begins on the separate slide. Each unit of
vocabulary is processed phonetically with the help of wave files. It allows to
repeat difficult lexical units as many times as you need.to this program the
graphic of the word forms immediately with its sound image. Such mean of
entering new vocabulary takes into consideration personality of every pupil -
those who have aural memory and also whose memory is visual.that the meaning of
each lexical unit is opened and examples of its usage are given in the form of
word combinations and sentences. It will be the stage of explanation and use of
learned material on practice. In presentations of such kind we use the most
popular way of semantization of vocabulary - demonstration of a picture in the
case when we deal with the words that mean concrete subjects.of complicated
grammatical rules turns into exiting adventure which guaranties high level of
understanding. Also, perfect results can be reached because of cognitive
interest of pupils and their desire for all new. For example, real facts about
different animals from the Guinness World Records not only open one's mind but
also stimulate usage of knowledge on this theme.playback of educational
situation and interactive use of visual methods allow to realize the principal
of better digestion of knowledge. Usage of multimedia technologies favours rise
of motivation, reduction of bad marks and better knowledge of foreign languages.can’t
keep from mentioning technical advantage of auding with the help of Power
Point, which allows teacher to repeat the material as much as he need without
loss of time because audio file is always ready for replaying and you don’t
need rewind the tape again and again. Besides, a teacher isn’t obliged to put
all notes on the black-board. All preparation for auding and necessary material
can fit one slide in the form of controlling buttons, variety of effects of
animation and accompanying sound.which is presented as Power Point presentation
increases opportunities of ordinary text-books because of sound, video and
animation. During the work with a computer pupils use hearing and sight and
they allow to increase not only the volume of perceivable information but also
quality of memory.should be mentioned, that in the case if a teacher uses
designed language teaching methodology, he acquires another role and function
in the teaching process. Designed education, especially thanks to new computer
technologies, substitutes traditional paradigm of teaching foreign languages.
Thereby, projecting helps pupils to realize the role of knowledge on the life
and in the process of studying. Knowledge stops to be an aim, it becomes mean
of true education.pedagogical technologies such as teaching in cooperation,
project method, using new informational technologies, Internet resources help
to realize personal orientational approach in teaching, support
individualization and differentiation of teaching in calculation with students
abilities, their pre-higher educational preparation level, inclination and etc.
According to E. Polat, informational technologies contribute to increase
academic motivation of teaching foreign languages and advance pupils’
knowledge. Usage of computer during English lessons increase significantly
academic process intensivity. Computer teaching assimilates a large amount of
material, than it was acquired using traditional teaching conditions. Besides
material in using computer is acquired more substantially. Computer supplies
multisupporting, that is current, intermediate, total academic process control.
Computer supplies multisupporting control of academic process that is current
intermediate, total. Using the computer control of quality students’ knowledge
to achieve the large objectiveness of valuation. Besides, computer control
considerably economizes academic time, as it checks students’ knowledge
simultaneously.cooperation suggests control six methodically important summons
of pupil as personality context activity, personal experience, wish, interest,
inclination sphere, emotional perceptional sphere, worldview, pupil’s status in
the group. All these instigate pupils to learning.
Also, nowadays, there is more versatile technical means of teaching. They’re electronic interactive boards, for example SMART Boards. Using them, we practice method of projects, which was already mentioned by us. But they have more advantages over usage of application program Microsoft Power Point. The matter is, that SMART Boards refer to the class of software for learning foreign languages, which has more higher level than just ordinary computer programs.we’ll give brief analysis of main computer technologies used for teaching foreign languages which exist nowadays. Each of these technologies is an inseparable symbiosis of hardware and software, that’s why we should add short description of appropriate technical devises to our analysis., for the first, let us come back to interactive SMART Boards. It’s a very effective way of entering electronic content of teaching and multimedia material in the process of schooling. Information which will be discussed on the lesson is shown on the screen of such board and it aims every pupil at fruitful activity. Prepared theme texts in English, exercises, colorful pictures, audio and video materials serve for stirring up of lesson’s material, revision, training of lexical units and grammatical structures, check, self-testing of knowledge.Board allows to work without use of keyboard, «mouse» and screen of a computer. All necessary actions can be made directly on the board with the help of special marker or even a finger. A teacher isn’t distracted from a lesson for making some manipulations at the computer. And it has a favorable impact on presentation of teaching material.board goes with special software SMART Notebook. This software allows to make notes which can include different types of information (texts, videos, tables, signs, illustrations). The software has the following facilities:
· During explanation of grammatical material (for example: making different types of sentences) we can use many-colored pencils in order to underline the most important information.
· Also we can imprint ideas, scheme of brainstorming in the screen. And if there is a necessity, we can come back to the beginning and discuss some difficult points again.
· The function «drag and drop» allows to move pictures and words in the exercises such as «Find a pair», «Make a match». This function differs SMART Board greatly from Microsoft Power Point presentation, where all objects are on their own places and their position can’t be changed.
· Several frames can be on the same slide at the same time. It helps to follow the main idea of a lesson.
· All material can be saved and a teacher needn’t to create and write everything again.this program includes a big collection of prepared theme pictures, which can be useful during the lessons.next software which will be examined by us is multimedia-lingaphone equipment RINEL-LINGO.main facility is voice communication and visual communication of a teacher with all pupils or a group of pupils (1-8 groups). Also voice communication and visual communication are available for pupils which are united in a group.communication doesn’t influence on the speed and quality of any software’s work, since software and hardware recourses of computers aren’t used. New facilities of this equipment in aggregate with multimedia capability of computers allow using absolutely different methods of teaching, which weren’t accessible before.software and hardware which are included in package of RINEL-LINGVO, allow carry out the following variants of work:
· A teacher makes an announcement in the classroom or says something and his speech is broadcasted on telephones of all pupils and also it’ broadcasted through speakerphone. Also transfer of image from the screen of teacher’s computer is possible on the screens of pupils.
· A teacher, working with pupil, carries out voice communication with him and also he sees his screen on his screen. He can rule his keyboard, using his own keyboard. This facility allows working with every pupil without leaving desk.
· A teacher can work with a group of pupils. It differs from the first variant, because in this case there isn’t relay with the help of speakerphone and work is carried out not with all pupils, but with a definite group.
· A pupil tells something to all his classmates and also broadcasts the content of his screen on screens of others, and it makes an effect of separated virtual auditoriums. There pupils can answer material simultaneously and solve tasks together, have dialogues, read texts and etc. A teacher can make a connection to every of these auditoriums and control work of pupils.this software includes RINEL-SOUNDBOOK, which is intended for teaching foreign languages. It consists of:
· Set of multimedia computers RINEL JUNIOR.
· Package of multimedia-lingaphone equipment RINEL-LINGO
· Software RINEL-LINGO, RINEL-SOUNDBOOK
· Complete set of special tables.
· Equipment for power wiring.
· Networking equipment Ethernet.is one more software for learning foreign languages which share the same principles.company «Multimedia systems» offers multimedia networking training complex HiClass. It’s unique solution for teachers and pupils who study foreign languages. The main idea of this software is the same as in the RINEL-LINGO, but it doesn’t include so much equipment. Pupils work with ordinary computers which are connected between each other with the special cable which allows to demonstrate all necessary material in the real time. Multimedia net combines discussion between a teacher and pupils, learning new material etc.main advantages over other software of this class are: