This is a follow-up on the first point in my previous post on the frustrartions of learning CALL skills and techniques.   That first point went like this:

"Focus on something you believe in and that you are passionate about and learn that first"

Doing this will make your life so much easier and make your lessons so much more vibrant to your students.  It is much easier to learn and focus on something that we enjoy than it is on something that we don't like.  The less we enjoy something, the more it seems like work and a chore, and the less likely we are to stick at it and complete it.

So what does that mean for you as a teacher aspiring to include a computer component in your language class? Well it means that you need to start off learning how to include computers while working with the material that gives you the most satisfaction and enjoyment.  Start small, and with a focus.

If you like pronunciation, start there.  Writing, find out how to include computers in writing classes.  Prefer working on listening activities, then get on it and focus your attention on how to practice listening on computers.   Whatever it might be that turns your language teaching crank - that is where you need to start.

Read about ways that other people have included similar materials in their classes.  Steal (in the most professional way of course) their ideas and see how they work for you in your situation.  Start off small, and then as you get a handle on things expand both in terms of time and content.

In line with this was the second point in that previous post:

Start doing CALL as soon as you can

Look, I'm not here to tell you how to run your classes.  If computers aren't for you - hey, no sweat of my back.  Don't use them.  Teachers can teach and students can learn just fine without computers.  However if you have any interest in working with computers in your language classroom, then what are you waiting for?  Start today.

There is no need to figure out every last detail - in fact you never will.  Just choose to do something - anything - involving language learning and computers and then build on the experience.  The sooner your start, the sooner you'll become skilled, and expand your ability to provide your language learners with more opportunities for language improvement.

If you do these things, you will be more inclined to continue using computers in your classes, and your interest and devotion to the material will be visible to your students.

Until next time,

Cheers,

Eric.

P.S. Perhaps you're first step will be to leave a comment below.  We're all waiting to hear from you!

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