Running head, CALL

Final Essay
Razan abukhaled
22/12/2016
University of Jordan

Introduction
"CALL (computer assisted language learning) date back to the 1960s, this 40Year period can be divided into three main stages; Behaviorist CALL,
Communicative CALL, and Integrative CALL." (Warchauer and Healey, 1998) First
form of CALL appeared between 1960s and 1970s."It was based on the behaviorist
learning, and it was mainly used for extensive drills, explicit grammar instruction, and
translation" (Ahmad, et, al., 1985). Then the computer assisted language learning
improved emerged communicative CALL in 1970s and 1980s. The last stage of
CALL is integrative CALL, at this stage appeared many of tools that helps students to
learn through computer and internet, also most of these tools were available for each
student and it used until nowadays, and teacher use it to teach, even students depend
on it when they learn by themselves, it help them to use internet by useful way. Under
CALL branched many tools such as: MOOC, MALL, CMC, SCMC, Social media,
and English Central. This technology helps to improve different learning skills:
speaking, listening, reading, grammar, and vocabulary. Because most of these tools
offer videos which have a lot of vocabulary, grammar that could be new for some
students, like English Central tool. Another technology tools contain quizzes, or
survey or it could ask students to write it as these tools concentrate on writing skills,
like Google Form. Also there is Inologo tool which help them to pronounce the words
correctly in addition to the meaning of the words this tool concentrate on listening
skills. More and more of helpful and technology tools.

Anything in the world has its strengths and weaknesses, even CALL has its
advantages and disadvantages. Computer assisted language learning has many
advantages for second language learners. Teaching language in classroom could lack
to motivation and interest, also students sometimes feel boring when they take
classical class, but with call they will love the class, because call programmers can
provide student ways to learn English through videos, some computer games which
aimed to teach students. Second at the classical class the teacher may not know the
weakness point for the student and the class time is limit, the teacher can't ask each
single student about what he misunderstand, by using CALL students can decide on
their own which skill to improve and which course to use, as well as the speed and
level by their own need. Third "A computer can analyze the specific mistakes that
students made and can react in different way from the usual teacher, which make
students able to make self correction and understand the principle behind the correct
solution" (Ravichandran,2007). On the other hand, CALL still has its limitations and
disadvantages such as: lack of trained teachers "most teacher today do not have

Running head, CALL

Final Essay
Razan abukhaled
22/12/2016
University of Jordan

sufficient technological training programs. There for, the benefits of computer

technology for those students who are not familiar with computer assisted inexistent"
(Roblyer, 2003). Last point the software of computer assisted language learning
programs is still imperfect.
CALL method plays an important role in the teaching learning process, because
it's worthy by tools that can be used in second language classes to develop students
skills like: listening reading, speaking, vocabulary, grammar, and so on. Examples
about these tools, English Central tool "it is a place where students can watch videos
and record, practice English based on the video" (Ddeabel, 2011). Also this tool aim
to develop speaking, listening, grammar, and vocabulary skills. The specifications of
this tool it's a free website and here are over 900 videos to watch and interact with.
The language learning goals from this tool; it could improve the speech and literacy
skills, also the students working on pronunciation by repeating what heard through a
set of headphones, help students to say words in proper English manner and accent, In
this tool the students can start with any level they want from the beginner level to high
advanced level, also these videos rich with information, in addition to that students
can go live anytime they want with a tutor to make sure that they get benefits. The
second tool is Inologo, if you confuse about the pronunciation of any word you can
use inologo tool anytime because it is a free website, also this tool give the correct
pronunciation for any word. In addition to that it gives us the syllabification for the
words. If you search for word not included in the inologo's library this word will
added to the library. This website is very important for non native speaker to avoid
them make mistakes when they pronounced some words. But this tool has
disadvantages like: "The information on the site may not be reliable, if you have a
limit experience with internet this site will be difficult to use. The last point it may be
difficult to reach your target audience because it is not authorized by reputable
source" (Group 21, 2003) (Blogger Ximelagatran)

One of an important technology tool is MOOC, What is it mean? How we use it?
Why we use it? And another questions this paragraph will answer it. MOOCs
(Massive Open Online Course) "Is an online course aimed at unlimited participation
and open access via the web" (Michael, 2016) (Blogger, WIKIPEDIA), that can be
accessed anyway, anytime, and anywhere. Every letter in MOOCs has an important
significance.
M (Massive) shows that work is a learning activity, aim to acquire new knowledge is
essential, also it's based on existence of a clear curriculum and assessment activities

Running head, CALL

Final Essay
Razan abukhaled
22/12/2016
University of Jordan

and lectures. The second letter is O (Open) has more than one meaning, two of its
meaning, "open as in freedom of place, pace, and time" (Version1.1, 2015) (Blogger
Open upEd). Third symbol is also O (Online) which means complete course is online.
The last letter is C (Course) shows the unit of study. "The course offers a full course
experience including: educational content, facilitation interaction among peers,
activities (asks, tests including feedback), and study guide". (Version1.1, 2015)
(Blogger Open upEd)

The most proper tool from these tools which mentioned above to use in Jordan
is English Central tool, Because the students in Jordan is non native speaker in
English , also most of them study at national schools. These schools do not
concentrate a lot on English and teaching it very well. This tool has 7-levels from the
beginner for high advanced; each level has Academic, Business, Social, Travel,
Useful Expression, Media, and grammar videos which help students to improve their
skills by themselves, also they can overcome the problem in the future when they
want to travel for foreign countries or even complete their study at the University
foreign languages. From my own experience, when I enter the University to study
English I faced a lot of difficulties, because I studied at national school and I did not
have strong background. If students who are especially from national school use as
this tool they will not face a lot of difficulties. Last point when they learn from native
speaker is better than learning from non native one, and the speakers and tutors in
these videos are native.

Conclusion
So we may say (to cut the long story short) that today there are dozens of
the ways to teach and learn. In the nearest past most of the methods were
based on trilateral cooperation (teacher book student) and most of them
were useless in the case of excluding one of these elements. The Call
program moved the learning process to the new level as today we can reduce
the number of elements involved in teaching and learning to two(student
commuter ). It gives the possibility and opportunity to the modern linguists and
specialized teachers to create new methods or improve the old one. It can
decrease the time and efforts it is payed to learn language. As it has been
mentioned the Call program is not perfect and cannot take the teacher`s place
at the all levels of studying, but it can, and should be applied as an additional
tool for improving language skills.

Running head, CALL

Final Essay
Razan abukhaled
22/12/2016
University of Jordan

Reference
1) Efidrew. (2008, Aug, 1).Advantages and disadvantages of CALL. Retrieved From
https://efidrew.wordpress.com/2008/08/01/assignment-4-article-on-call/

2) Ddeubel. (2011, 2, 15).Classroom2.0. English Central. How would you use it with
students?. Retrieved From http://www.classroom20.com/forum/topics/english-centralhow-would-you

3) Kaplan Andreas M., Haenlein Michael (2016) Higher education and the
digital revolution: About MOOCs, SPOCs, social media, and the Cookie
Monster, Business Horizons, Volume
59. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000768131630009X
Retrieved From (WIKIPEDEA)

4) Group21.(2003, October, 24)Advantages and disadvantages of inologo. Retrieved

from http://www.angelfire.com/pro/ximelagatran/advdisadv.htm