Reflection on Reading 1(CALL)

Computer Assisted Language Learning:
an Introduction
by Mark Warschauer
CALL(computer-assisted language learning) has developed rapidly and is divided into three phases: behavioristic CALL, communicative CALL, and integrative CALL. The behavioristic CALL entailed repetitive language drills and can be referred to as "drill and practice". This is a traditional way of language teaching. It is especially effective for self learning but only for those who are highly motivated. For my students, they feel really bored with practice and drilling.

For communicative CALL, it is a kind of motivation for student to practice English online. It avoids telling students they are wrong and is flexible to a variety of student responses. This CALL model used for communicative activities involves the computer as stimulus. The purpose of this CALL model is to stimulate students' discussion, writing, or critical thinking. In my school, we have purchased a kind of i-learning by English language interactive exercises and games. The name of the program is called “I-learner”. (http://www.i-learner.com.hk). The program is very interactive. However, it is quite effective only for some well-behaved students because the students can learn English on their own at home. However, the bad students may just do it by clicking the buttons randomly even though we take them to the computer room to finish it.

Integrative CALL is the combination of behavioristic CALL and communicative CALL. The effectiveness of Integrative CALL depends very much on how teachers and students use the software in learning English Language. In fact, for my students, Integrative CALL is an ideal approach but it is hard to implement it since the students are badly behaved. For the well-behaved students, they are really benefited from the use of multi-media because it provides more authentic learning environment and students have great control over their learning so that they can learn at their own pace. But for my students, they are reluctant to learn no matter what. They like to play computer games such as gambling games. However, when I ask them to do the group project and search for some information on their own, they seem to be unable or reluctant to do it. Last year, 3 out of 8 groups could not finish their projects which required them to use computers.