Linguistics and the Teaching of English
as a Second/Foreign Language

CALL Mini-Course

Unit 1: Introduction to Computer-Assisted Language Learning.

WHAT IS CALL?    

In general CALL can refer to any language learning or teaching that involves the computer in a significant way. CALL can be

one student on one computer with interactive software
two or three students on one computer with interactive software
students on computers interacting with other students (computer-mediated communication)
students on computers working with web-based language content
students interacting with one another and a teacher through a computer (online class)
a teacher using a single computer and large monitor or data projector for class instruction
and other options
CALL environments can be a classroom, a computer lab with the teacher present, a computer lab with students working independently, or students working at a public computer, at home, or elsewhere. The microcomputer has been a central element of this for the past few decades, although notebook computers, PDAs, and even cell phones are beginning to be utilized.

Computers in language teaching: tutor vs. tool. The field of CALL is split more or less into two camps: those who see the computer as a machine for delivering interactive language learning and practice material--the computer as tutor--and those who see it as a means for learners to experience the authentic language and communication opportunities and enhancements afforded by computers--the computer as tool (Levy 1997). It is of course possible, I would say preferable, to recognize these not as opposing philosophies but as end points along the same language teaching continuum that balances teacher-fronted and group work in a classroom. In other words, effective language learning can include elements of both. Consequently, in this introduction to the field I will try to strike a balance between them so that you come out of this able to recognize the potential advantages of using neither, one, or both  for a given teaching situation.

Acronyms and attitudes. This field has gone by a number of different names as groups of practitioners have attempted to impose their own philosophies. CALL remains the generic term

CALL: Computer-assisted language learning (the generic term); sometimes Computer-aided language learning 
CALI: Computer-assisted language instruction (more teaching oriented; less learner focused) 
CBLT: Computer-based language training (views elements of language learning as "training") 
CELL: Computer-enhanced language learning (computer's  role is less central) 
TELL: Technology-enhanced language learning (accommodates more than just computers)
ICTinLT: Information and Communication Technologies in Language Teaching (focuses more on tool use)
NBLT: Network-Based Language Teaching. (focuses on computer-mediated communication and the web
A THUMBNAIL SKETCH OF CALL HISTORY

CALL began in the 1960s with mainframe-based drills, especially those based on the University of Illinois' PLATO system. It remained an insignificant alternative for  language learning until the spread of the microcomputer into educational settings in the early 1980s. Early programs were written by teacher-developers on Apple II, IBM PC, and BBC computers, and were often distributed for free. Commercial programs, when available, were usually quite expensive but were generally more stable and technically sophisticated (though not as innovative). There was some work done with interactive laser disks during this time which provided the foundations for multimedia.