If you don't currently use computers in your language teaching, you might want to ask yourself why you don't.  Apart from not having access to computers - which is common for many teachers, there isn't really any good reason to not use computers in a language learning classroom.

Now before you get yourself all bent out of shape, I'm not suggesting that you drop everything you do and move holus bolus over to computer based teaching.  Just try to include a few elements into your classes.

That is what this post is all about, giving CALL a try.  You don't need to be some Uber techno-wizard, you just need to try something.  You don't need a full lab with top-end computers with all the latest language learning software.  You can start off with one single machine that only you use.

Here are a few things that you can do very easily with only ONE computer (you can manage more with a lab of course)

1. surf to a website and playback an audio file for a listening activity
2. find 5 pictures on google (images.google.com) and then have students write or discuss about them
3. write a badly written paragraph in a word processor and then correct it on the screen during class using student suggestions
4. watch online videos and then have students respond to what they have watched
5. have students write a skit and then use a mic on your PC to record them acting it.
6. do the same with video and then make DVDs for each student
7. do the same for music, jazz chants etc.
8. have one or two students write a post on a blog you've created for your language class.
9. give 2 students 1/2 hour access daily to research and prep a quick presentation
10. listen to audio books/stories on a regular basis as a whole class

Then of course you as a teacher can make use of your computer in many ways

1. prepping materials
2. recording audio/video for display in class
3. doing online research
4. creating tests, texts, clozes
5. participating in online communities
6. teaching/tutoring by distance

CALL doesn't need to be hard or intimidating.  The whole point is to just get started and try something out.  Then keep trying new things and trying to improve on what you've done in the past.

At the very least, give it a try.

As always, comments are welcome below.

Cheers,

Eric

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to the Teachers Call RSS Feed. When you subscribe you will get updates provided regularly to your RSS reader. It is a great way to stay up to date with the latest in CALL information and ideas. So go ahead and subscribe right now.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!