Using IT in EFL Teaching

For many years teaching English has been characterized by the use of traditional and grammatical-oriented approach with limited information resources: a teacher, a textbook and chalkboard. Nowadays emerging technologies represent a potential for teaching English as a foreign language. There is a wide variety of hardware and software available for teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). The following Internet technologies are used in EFL classes:

1. SMART Board. It is a series of interactive whiteboards developed by SMART Technologies. The SMART Board uses touch detection for user input – e.g., scrolling, right mouse-click – in the same way normal PC input devices, such as a mouse or keyboard, detect input. The SMART Board is an interactive, electronic whiteboard which can enhance instruction and learning.  The SMART Notebook software makes it possible for teachers to create content rich, dynamic lessons which address specific student skills.
2. Now that a growing majority of Internet users have broadband, YouTube and other video clip sites (Google Video, Revver, etc.) have become very popular - especially with young adults. These sites also provide English learners and classes with a new tool to improve listening skills. The real advantage to these sites - at least from a language learning point of view - is that they offer authentic examples of everyday English used by everyday people.
3. Blogging is becoming increasingly popular as a language learning tool. A blog (short for weblog) is a frequently updated website that often resembles an online journal. Aaron Campbell (2003) has outlined three types of blogs for use with language classes: The Tutor Blog, The Class Blog, The Learner Blog. Nowadays, blogs can also display photos and some people are using them with audio and even video.

      I think Internet videos are precious useful resources to help in the listening process acquisition and fill the blanks of the constant need for language demands when the learner does not live in an English speaking country. For instance, in a video systematic locus like YouTube, at present the most prominent video network you can find news videos, movie thrillers, music, tv shows, interviews, lectures, informal conversations. Besides listening, it is possible to work with other abilities concerned with pronunciation and phonetics, vocabulary acquisition, speaking and to use creativity for a range of activities that shows students the multiple potential of working with new technologies tools like Internet videos. It is also a step for EFL students to work with their autonomy related to their learning. The advantages of using blogs in teaching English are the following: to provide extra reading practice for students; to increase the sense of community in a class; to encourage shy students to participate; to stimulate out-of-class discussion; to encourage a process-writing approach, to help build a closer relationship between students in large classes.