Application of CALL Based on School Experience

Computer has been used to support language learning process since 1960s. We call the approach as Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). Utilization of computer in language learning can increase the effectiveness and efficiency of teaching and learning activity. Moreover, students are more interested in reading or doing tasks on computer than on paper (Kitao, 1995). Then utilization of computer for language learning can grab more students’ attention and willingness to learn.

Computer can be used in many ways for teaching language. It can be used to give students drill, practice and fun learning which are liked by them. It also can be used to deliver presentation through power point, image, audio or attractive video. Even teacher can asked students to do independent learning using the computer. There are many software/program that can be installed to the computer that supports independent learning.

Utilization of CALL can be more effective if it is supported by connection to the internet. Students can do almost everything with the internet. It supports independent learning better than computer without internet connection. Students can go to online resource to find proper practice and drill activity. They also can do distance learning with the teacher or other experts.

CALL is language learning approach that has been known and applied in many countries especially in country with good education. Then what about in Indonesia? Indonesia is a large country with many regions. Education may not be the same in each region. Big cities usually have better education levels and facilities such as in Jakarta. But still, in Jakarta the level and facility could be different in each school.

Observation has been done in one of school in Jakarta. This is one of state school with good level and facility. It has language laboratory that is supported by 40 sets of PC with internet connection. The observation is more focus on teaching and learning activity in English class. Students are asked to go to language laboratory for English class.

This school uses Dynamic Net software to support English teaching and learning activity. The software is more focus on independent learning. The software is given by the government. It is mandatory for the school to use this software as much as 50% from total teaching hours. Then teacher asks students to do independent learning for the first 40 minutes. After that, they continue to do teaching and learning activity for the last 40 minutes.

Dynamic Net software consists of exercises on listening, reading and speaking skills. For listening skill, it provides audio such as conversation or monologue with picture as visualization. It has some stories that tell students about certain topic to support reading skill. It also provides interactive chatting to support speaking skill. Students can chat to native speaker about certain topic that has been recorded in the software. It can identify spoken word and responds such answer “could you repeat, I do not understand what you say” if students pronounce wrong words. This software can answer basic question that appropriate for certain topic such as introduction. This software does not really support exercise for writing skill. Based on teacher statement, students improve their English up to 50% after using Dynamic Net software. Moreover, students really like to learn English using the software.

The observation shows that using technology such as computer are more likely make students interested to learn English. It could be because learn by using computer give them experiential learning such as having conversation with native speaker. It also supports individual needs because students may choose which material and skills they want to master.

The utilization of computer seems like give many advantages for learning language. But still, it has limitations. Based on the observation English teacher who uses computer to support language learning is only one teacher. It is because she has ability to operate the computer while 3 other teachers do not have yet. Then, only English classes that she teaches in which is utilizing computer to teach English. It shows that teachers have to master the operation of computer to be able to hold CALL. Another limitation is that the software is still imperfect. It only provides exercise for certain topic and does not cover all of English material.

The observation shows that utilization of computer for language learning is different in each class in the school that has been observed. It is influenced by many factors such as teachers’ ability in operating computer and the software may not support all of learning materials. The writer assumes that it will be hard to apply CALL in all regions in Indonesia. Given that not all of teacher in Indonesia can operate computer. Then it will need teachers training on using computer for holding technology based learning which will be expensive. Another is that teacher who can operate computer do not guarantee that the students will be able to operate the computer too. Even it can affect teaching and learning activities with technical errors.

Utilization of computer has been trend in educational field in the world. It does support effective and fun learning. But still, the utilization of computer will be effective if teacher can utilize it well. It will not help at all if the teachers cannot use it. Even in the school that has been observed the utilization of computer is not maximal while the school has good level education. Then CALL may not be the best solution for language learning in Indonesia. Language learning can be effective as long as teachers can make meaningful and fun learning even without technology. We can utilize technology for language learning as long as it is supported to be held.

References:

Rofiq. A. (2007). Simple computer-assisted language learning media development for learning language. Retrieved on Friday, 04 November 2011, from http://jurnal.pdii.lipi.go.id/admin/jurnal/1108100110.pdf.

Lai. C. C. et al (2006). The advantages and disadvantages of computer technology in second language acquisition. National journal for publishing and mentoring doctoral student research (3) 1.