Information Technology And Innovation In Language Education

This book presents a critical analysis and investigation of current developments and debates in the use of information technology (IT) in English language teaching (ELT) internationally. The first section of the book provides an overview of the key issues in IT and innovation in English language education such as the complex nature of IT and its use in ELT, both in the present and future, and the often problematic nature of innovation in relation to IT and ELT. It focuses primarily on the level of programs and curricula, looking at the way organizations and educational systems in different countries respond to the so-called “IT imperative.” The second section adopts a more overtly social constructivist perspective to explore examples of innovative practice in IT use in ELT around the world. It tackles issues arising from classroom implementation and pedagogy, looking at the way learners and teachers can and do use IT in their everyday practice. The final section investigates the problems of building a community of professional practice in IT in English language education. It focuses on the level of professional development and teacher education and in doing so, demonstrates how the implementation of IT in schools and classrooms can be enhanced through taking into account key aspects of teachers’ existing contexts and professional practices. Throughout the book, the contributors adopt a constructive but critical perspective on the use of IT in English language education, often challenging its role in developing learner autonomy, its effectiveness in developing language learning and its capacity to enhance pedagogic practice in the language teaching classroom, at the same time suggesting effective models and guidelines for good practice.

This book presents a critical analysis and investigation of current developments and debates in the use of information technology (IT) in English language teaching (ELT) internationally. The first section of the book provides an overview of the key issues in IT and innovation in English language education such as the complex nature of IT and its use in ELT, both in the present and future, and the often problematic nature of innovation in relation to IT and ELT. It focuses primarily on the level of programs and curricula, looking at the way organizations and educational systems in different countries respond to the so-called “IT imperative.” The second section adopts a more overtly social constructivist perspective to explore examples of innovative practice in IT use in ELT around the world. It tackles issues arising from classroom implementation and pedagogy, looking at the way learners and teachers can and do use IT in their everyday practice. The final section investigates the problems of building a community of professional practice in IT in English language education. It focuses on the level of professional development and teacher education and in doing so, demonstrates how the implementation of IT in schools and classrooms can be enhanced through taking into account key aspects of teachers’ existing contexts and professional practices. Throughout the book, the contributors adopt a constructive but critical perspective on the use of IT in English language education, often challenging its role in developing learner autonomy, its effectiveness in developing language learning and its capacity to enhance pedagogic practice in the language teaching classroom, at the same time suggesting effective models and guidelines for good practice.

This book examines a wide range of innovations in language learning and teaching in Japan. Each of the chapters describes the impetus for a change or new development in a particular context, from early childhood to adult learning, details its implementation and provides an evaluation of its success. In doing so, they provide a comprehensive overview of best practice in innovating language education from teaching practice in formal classroom settings, to self-directed learning beyond the classroom, and offer recommendations to enhance language education in Japan and beyond. The book will be of interest to scholars of applied linguistics and language development, and in particular to those involved in managing change in language education that attempts to mediate between global trends and local needs.

This edited collection presents a study of innovation in teaching, learning, assessment and teacher development practices in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The thirteen research-based chapters in this collection examine recent innovations in English language teaching, drawing on classroom, administrative and learning experiences from seven of the countries in the region. The major trends analyzed across the volume include the language skills of reading and writing and the prevalence of technology and technology-enhanced instruction. It highlights that innovative teaching, learning and assessment practices that are now in place in virtually all levels of English language teaching and learning from primary school to university to adult education sectors, and reflects on possible ways forward for innovation in the field of ELT. This book will provide valuable insight for scholars of applied linguistics and practitioners working in language policy,

Implementing and Researching Technological Innovation in Language Teaching takes a case study approach to investigate the integration of the interactive whiteboard (IWB) into the teaching of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in French schools. The study highlights the advantages of collaborative action research for stimulating and supporting language teachers in innovative experimentation, and seeks to enhance our understanding of the challenges and opportunities inherent in this process. Utilising a framework which can inform further research into innovative practices with other interactive technologies, this book offers a research design and instruments suitable for assessing classroom adoption of the IWB. In this way, the study provides insights into general processes of technological innovation in language teaching and learning which is of relevance to further research and teacher development in today's new learning environments.

This book investigates the ways in which new developments in areas of language teaching practice, such policymaking, planning, methodology and the use of educational technology spread globally and are adopted, rejected or adapted locally.

I first used the Internet in fall 1993, as a Fulbright Scholar at Charles University in Prague. I immediately recognized that the Internet would radically transform second language teaching and learning, and within a year had written my first book on the topic, E-Mail for English Teaching. The book galvanized a wave of growing interest in the relationship of the Internet to language learning, and was soon followed by many more books on the topic by applied linguists or educators. This volume, though, represents one of the first that specifically analyzes the relationship of new technologies to the teaching of languages for specific purposes (LSP), and, in doing so, makes an important contribution. The overall impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on second language learning can be summarized in two ways, both of which have special significance for teaching LSP. First, ICT has transformed the context of language learning. The stunning growth of the Internet—resulting in 24 trillion email messages sent in 2005, and more than 600 billion Web pages and 50 million blogs online in the same year—has helped make possible the development of English as the world's first global language.

Questions about what to teach and how best to teach it are what drive professional practice in the English language classroom. Innovation and change in English language education addresses these key questions so that teachers are able to understand and manage change to organise teaching and learning more effectively. The book provides an accessible introduction to current theory and research in innovation and change in ELT and shows how these understandings have been applied to the practical concerns of the curriculum and the classroom. In specially commissioned chapters written by experts in the field, the volume sets out the key issues in innovation and change and shows how these relate to actual practice offers a guide to innovation and change in key areas grounded in research relates theory to practice through the use of illustrative case studies and examples brings together the very best scholarship in TESOL and language education from around the world This book will be of interest to upper undergraduate and graduate students in applied linguistics, language education and TESOL as well as pre-service and in-service teachers, teacher educators, researchers and administrators keen to create and manage teaching and learning more effectively.