CALL



Kringg Kring!!

Hi, Assalamualaikum!

The entry's title is CALL, no, not the latest Korean Movie The Call but the thing we, English students have learned in class. Actually, during the diploma, we did learn about CALL as well but I don't know why it seemed so complicated back then. Now, I think I have a better understanding on what actually CALL is and I'm going to share the knowledge with my beloved readers.

CALL is actually an acronym to Computer-Assisted Language Learning. Which basically tells us the rough idea on what it is. Can you guess? Yeah, some sort of learning language through the applications or tools in the computer or the internet, those technology. Nice timing isn't it? Because due to Covid-19, we students mostly just stay at home and having our classes online and you probably did not know that you have used CALL as well these days. It's "inevitable" (Thanos's reference hihi). Okay let's get serious.

There are 4 types of CALL, which are:

  • CALL-specific software: Software applications that HELP in language learning. For example, the CD-ROMs that you can find in students' textbooks. Usually they have some interactive activities for the students.
  • Generic software: Applications for general purposes that are commonly used to SUPPORT the language learning such as presentations and word-processor like PowerPoint, Microsoft Word and Excel Spreadsheet.
  • Web-based learning programs: This is basically online EVERYTHING. Online encyclopaedia, news, dictionaries. It is where the learners can learn anything through website like Wikipedia.
  • Computer-mediated Communication (CMC) programs: This is the most relatable to many of us now so I'm planning to do a special post about this one. Stay tune! 😉
Historically, there were two people, Warschauer & Healey, that identified the CALL according to its phases:

  • (1950s-1970s): Behaviouristic CALL --> Made up of drill-and-practice content where a cue was given by the software and the learner provided an answer. At first, both could only be achieved by text. The software would interpret feedback from students and provide guidance, and more advanced systems would respond to students' errors by branching out to support screens and remedial tasks. Although those systems and the fundamental teaching methods do remain today, the majority of language teachers have dismissed behavioral approaches to language learning and the growing advancement of computer technology has lead CALL to other possibilities.
  • (1980s-1990s): Communicative CALL --> The emphasis is on the usage of language instead of the analysis of language, and grammar is learned indirectly instead of directly. It also calls for authenticity and diversity in the language production by students. The communicative approach correlated with the invention of the PC, which made computers much more readily accessible and led to a surge in the production of language learning tools.
  • (1990s-present): Integrative CALL --> Attempted to counter the critique of the communicative method by incorporating the instruction of language skills into activities or programs aimed at providing guidance and cohesion. It also associated with the growth of digital technologies (providing text, graphics, sound and animation) and computer-mediated communication (CMC). During this time, CALL saw a decisive change from the use of a computer for drill and tutorial purposes (computer as a finite, authoritative basis for a particular task) to a platform for expanding education outside the classroom.

As you can see, for the time being, we are leaning towards the integrative CALL because CALL is being used as a platform for outside of the classroom.

Okayy, pheww! This is quite a long post and I had shorten them up for you but like I mentioned before, there will be a continuation on the next post about the CMC. See you shortly, toodles!

XOXO

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