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CALL Essay
CALL From Board To Broad
Written by: Rua'a Raed Sabri Abu-Alfa
0126271
English Language And Applied Linguistics
University Of Jordan

Author note
Rua'a .R Abu-Alfa, Department of linguistics, Faculty of foreign Languages, University Of
Jordan
Contact: ruaaraed.rr@gmail.com

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Abstract
The purpose of this academic essay is to examine how language learning, language
teaching, and other purposes arerelated to Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL).
view a brief history of CALL . It also examines ways in which the learning environment in
particular continue developing a professional CALL and teachers continue to master new
ideas in CALL . it also reflects how technology courses should be designed accordingly. The
research paragraphs, however, vary in their definitions and uses of CALL. Other references
define and, therefore, offer different uses. CALL differently The concept of learning is not
confined only to the students and teachers, Anyone can use distance learning anywhere,
anytime .
Keywords: Computer Assisted Language Learning, Computer-Mediate Communication,
Massive Open Online Course, Synchronous Computer-Mediate Communication.

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In the last few years the number of teachers has raised Significantly. Frankly, Everyone
wants teachers to use technology in the classroom. According to a study conducted on
schools and universities with different proficiency levels in America and I chose America
specially because I did not find other accurate and reliable study, teachers have found that the
traditional use of textbooks and worksheets is often ineffective, the use of assistive
technology CALL- communication devices, APPs for learning, chatting rooms, websites,
Distance Learning, group work, interactive learning and so on, is a new and innovative trend
among educators. This essay shows up the essentials of Computer Assisted Language
Learning (CALL) And how it affects the learning process. Let's explore what CALL is being
used in special education classroom and how it works outside classrooms.
Teaching a language is more than a pen and board ! CALL this terms origins goes
back to the 1960s, which is the early era of CALL ( 1960-1980) concerns on memorization
and it started developing and becoming more common becoming a Modern CALL ( 1980present) shows the real usage of the language as PCs were introduced to the world in the
1980s ,
"In the last few years the number of teachers using Computer-assisted Language Learning
(CALL) has increased markedly and numerous articles have been written about the role of
technology in education in the 21st century." (Lee, 2000)
so what CALL means , how to use CALL , how it can serve the language learning process
, whats the major challenges learners could face using CALL and eventually , what are
the advantages and disadvantages of CALL ? All of these questions will be answered later
in this essay .

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Now we are going to start by giving a brief definition of CALL ; CALL stands for
"Computer Assisted Language Learning ", which means involving computers in the learning
process as it may aid making proper presentations in the classroom , simply it means using
computer to assist the language learning process .
How can we use CALL ? Many institutions saved us the effort of programming and
starting from zero to use computer in the language learning process , providing us with
platforms that are ready to use , computers give a massive variety of sources that can be used
for language learning purposes .
Taking a simple example explaining one of the available applications of CALL in Jordan ,
for low intermediate students proficiency level , in a class that contains both male and female
students , this layer of students sees computers as an amusement tool only , gaming , social
networking , YouTube,etc
The idea of using computers for learning language could be a bit awkward for them , so they
are introduced to the usage of computer for learning in levels . frankly here , its making
learning fun !
Edmodo https://www.edmodo.com/about : is an educational network that connects learners
with people and sources they need to use Edmodo , you must create an account , and have the
code of the class you are joining , Edmodo is the easiest way for a student teacher
communication online , while creating your account it asks you to include your parents
email , a smart option that allows teachers to communicate directly with students parents
saving them the effort and time of coming to school , and keeping them updated with their
childrens progress at all times , after students join the class they can be easily notified for the
homework they have to do and the online quizzes as the teacher uploads them to the website ,
afterwards students send their done homework to the teacher , this has a great benefit , every

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students must rely on himself to do the homework , and he has to do it at home , because he
doesnt have access to a computer while in school , it's worth mentioning that Edmodo
demands every student to have a computer at home .
Edmodo is easy to use , and its free but it doesnt support the team work skills and the
cooperation between student , it makes them more dependent and less credent. Changing the
idea about computers for student , Edmodo Asks parents email , connects directly with
parents , available in Jordan , easy to use , every students needs a computer , less team work ,
no cooperation , free
CALL serves the language learning from many sides ; speaking , writing , listening ,
reading , vocabulary and grammar . This paper will continue with providing examples :
English Central ( only for English language )
The English central provides an outstanding archives of English conversations where you can
first watch , learn , speak and go-live .
No matter how much you read and read it is never like watching and listening , this feature
where you can actually watch then you are asked about what you have watched in an amazing
way that makes it so fun to learn , the best part is speaking where you can actually check your
punctuation and fluency , eventually you can go live and have a one one conversation with
a tutor about the video , so the English central actually helps developing both listening and
speaking and again its only for the English language
Turning to the second App Mindsnacks , it is an App that helps learning many different
languages , this apps best feature is the fact its suitable for different levels and ages of users ,
this app includes games designs to help users memorize the words and many more features ,
all of these helps improve most of the language skills

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All of which already mentioned attached the notion of distance learning

"The nature of distance language learning A distance context for language learning presents
learners with new demands and new opportunities compared to those experienced in face-toface classrooms. In particular learners are involved to a much greater degree in selfmanagement and environment management." (white,2003)
such as MOOC, CMC,SCMC , let's have a quick glance for each one:
MOOC stands for " Massive open online course " , which is an online course with an
unlimited number of participants open for use via web , it's an outstanding leap in distant
education programs , it serves a massive number of students that are geographically dispersed
, so MOOC offers grammars and vocabulary at most, as students can participate in classes
hosted by teachers to enrich their knowledge .
It is worth mentioning another tech tool which is type of CALL , its mechanism returns
where the computers play the essential role . CMC stands for computer mediated it's a wide
range of technologies that demand computer including E-mails, newsgroups and so on. Over
the past few decades fast changing happened, the concept has changed to reflect the current
view on language learning.

"Studies conducted on the social dynamics of CMC have found that CMC results in
communication that is more equal in participation than face-to-face discussion, with those
who are traditionally shut out of discussions benefiting most from the increased participation.
"(Warschauer, 1997)

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SCMC: stand for Synchronous Computer-Mediate Communication. it is a tool that gathers

learners all around the world and give them the opportunity to monitor their language use.
But there is no SCMC if there is no internet access such as Viber, Skype and Messenger .
Challenges might a language learners face when using CALL in or out of the classroom :
Many students would become frustrated by the technical technology demands. Students face
several kinds of challenges when they use CALL, The New Digital Divide is one of them it's
the gap between students who have, do not have, and know how to use the different tech tools
in many aspects. It's changing from having that access to knowing how to deal with internet ,
but every problem has a solution the teacher can carry out the language environment in which
creases the team work inside the classroom.. To inspire the team members, talking to them,
of course, it's quite simply to make a team work, a company work, a society work, a
civilization work.

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Conclusion
To conclude, it seems that CALL continues to have a prominent role in peoples life
whether theyre students, teachers, Managers, employers or employees as an assessment tool.
This is mainly because its keep developing through time . Also, Call can be less stressful
than written textbooks as it allows students in particular to show their virtual understanding
of content in less pressured circumstances . All students deserve a chance to be successful in
their studies using such a glamorous technology via different tech tools through different
Apps . Responsible academic institutions ( schools, universities and so on..) must respond to
student needs so that they graduate with a fully understanding for what they already done. In
order to gain a complete understanding of CALLs true effect on peoples life, its necessary
to know how to use it in good ways here are some of these nice tech tools MOOCs, CMC ,
SCMC and more . English Central, MindSnack, Edmodo theyre helpful and useful.

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References

Lee, K-W . (2000). English teachers' barriers to the use of computer-assisted language learning.
Internet TESOL Journal, 6(12). From http://iteslj.org/Articles/Lee-CALLbarriers.html

White, C. (2003). Language Learning in Distance Education. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Egbert,J., Paulus, T.M., & Nakamichi, Y. (2002). The impact of CALL instructions on classroom
computer use: A foundation for rethinking technology in teacher education. Language Learning and
Technology, 6 (3), 108-126. Retrieved December 11,2005 from http://llt.msu.edu/vol6num3/egbert/

Warschauer, M. (1997). Computer-mediated collaborative learning: Theory and practice. The

Modern Language Journal, 81(4), 470481.