ICT IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LEARNING

-Dammar Singh Saud

Lecturer, Darchula Multiple Campus
I. INTRODUCTION
Now, ICT (Information and Communication Technology) has been used in almost all
fields of life, including in education. In education, computer technology has become so essential
that the government put ICT as one of the curriculum in Nepal’s education. The utilization
of ICT in education has recently started to appeal the potential and significant
progress in language learning. It has become a major issue in education world and has been used
from preschool through to university that could facilitate students and teacher in teaching and
learning process. ICT has been publicized as potentially powerful enabling tools for educational
change and reform. The computers play significant role in the learning process especially in
learning language. As Hartoyo (2008) stated in his book, a computer is a tool and medium that
facilitates people in learning a language, although the effectiveness of learning depends totally
on the users. The technology in this era has been grown up not only from the quality but also the
efficiency. They are moving fast without any limit from every product. The need of
technological innovation has brought the communication revolution and rapid development of
technological application in teaching and learning. This technology made contribution on
improving language communication in Nepal. Every school has used the ICT to facilitate the
teacher to teach the students in the classroom. Many kinds of application that they use in the
classroom improved and enhanced the better lesson.
Hartoyo (2008) also asserts that English language teaching has been shaped by the search
for the ‘one best method’ of teaching the language. Regardless of whether the focus of
instruction has been reading, the grammatical rules and vocabulary of the target language (e.g.
Grammar Translation Method), speaking (how to communicate the target language such as
Direct Method, Audio-Lingual Method, The Silent Way, Community Language, Communicative
Approach) the attempts of the teaching profession have been shaped by a desire to find ‘a’ better
way of teaching than the existing method. The latest method that is developing is Computer
Assisted Language Learning (CALL). Some experts and practitioners of education
learning language in CALL, strongly supports the utilization of ICT in language learning
to improve efficiency and effectiveness of learning that can improve the quality of understanding
and mastery of the language studied. In other words, the integration of ICT in the field
of language learning is inevitable known that the ICT and language learning are two aspects
which support each other like two sides of the coin inseparable (Hartoyo, 2008). Fortunately, the
use of Computer Assisted-Learning language (CALL) has increased noticeably by English
teachers. Consideration of Computer Assisted Language Learning is using computer. This tool is
flexible, rich and interactive. It is flexible in the term of time and place. It has also assumed that
more than other media can encourage students in learning language. This is due to the
computer’s ability to present material is more diverse ways than either book or video does. In
addition, CALL is able to generate interaction and improve communicative competence,
including providing authentic material to the class or self – learning. The method focuses in
computer utilization to enhance language learning.

II. OBJECTIVES
This article proposes description to help the institution, teacher and student that the role
of technology is being used to ease them to achieve the objective of education. Besides, it is
aimed to introduce teacher and learner about the effect of technology in language teaching and
learning. At the latest decades, technology becomes the most important things in which many
people regard technology as the result of science. By the technology people are eased to
accomplish the complicated and sophisticated problem. Since, the objective of this article is to
describe ICT, the benefits of ICT, and explain how significant the use of ICT in English
language teaching and learning making the difficult to be the easy done, people are helped to
solve their problem.
III. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
English language is necessary for most people in today’s world, while technology
development always has a very high and also contributed towards the development of education,
especially English. As English is one of difficult lessons, teacher must create interactive teaching
and learning to make students interest. In the history of the development of education,
information technology is part of the medium used to convey the message of science to many
people, ranging from printing technology a few centuries ago, such as printed books, such as
telecommunications to media, voice recorded on tape, video, television, and CD.
It can be inferred that technology is an ever increasing part of the English language
classroom. It can easily be used either in language class or outside. It has become a very useful
instrument for both personal and professional lives of people. Kayser, McKenzie, Russell, and
Sorin (2009) state “Technology is becoming increasingly important in both our personal and
professional lives and the learners of English are using technology more and more. Therefore,
the problem how to teach English with technologies is very actual for every teacher nowadays”
(pp. 5-9). Moreover, Hennessy et al. (2010) claim: Bringing ICT into the classroom can have a
considerable impact on the practice of teachers when ICT is conceptualized as a tool that
supports a real change in the pedagogical approach. Not only do the teachers need to change
their roles and class organization, they also need to invest energy in themselves and their
students in preparing, introducing and managing new learning arrangements (pp. 45-46).
The development of information technology, the Internet, directs the history of
educational technology in the new groove. Online services in the education of both degree and
non-degree are basically providing educational services to users using the Internet as a medium.
Online services can be composed of various stages of the process of educational programs such
as: registration, test entry, payment, and learning, case assignments, case discussions, exams,
assessments, discussions, and announcements. The major ICTs which can support English
language teaching and learning are:
Electronic Books
Electronic book or e-book is one that utilizes computer technology to deliver multimedia
information in the form of a compact and dynamic. In an” e-book can be integrated impressions”
sound, graphics, images, animations, and” movie” so that the information presented is richer than
conventional books. Type e-book of the simplest is a mere transfer of conventional books into
electronic form displayed by the computer. With this technology, hundreds of books can be
stored in a single piece of CD or compact disk, DVD or digital versatile disc and flash. A more
complex and require more rigorous designs such as the Encyclopedia Britannica and Microsoft
Encarta encyclopedia which is in multimedia format. Multimedia format allows e-book provides
not only written information but also sound, images, movies and other multimedia elements. A
description of the type of music, for example, can be accompanied by footage of the sound of
music so that the user can clearly understand what is meant by the provider.
E-learning
Various definitions can be found for the” e-learning”. Victoria L. Tinio, for example,
states that” e-learning” includes learning at all levels, formal and informal, which uses a
computer network (intranet and extranet) for the delivery of teaching materials, interaction, and /
or facilitation. For most of the process of learning that takes place with the help of the Internet is
often referred to as online learning. Broadly speaking, the e-learning is learning through
electronic services. Although a variety of definitions but basically agreed that the e-learning is
learning by using electronic technology as a means of presenting and distributing information.
Although radio and television education is a form of e-learning, it is generally agreed that e-
learning reaches peak form after synergize with internet technology.
 Internet-based learning or web-based learning in its simplest form is the” websites” are
used to present learning materials. This method enables learners to access learning resources
provided by the speakers or facilitators whenever desired. If it is necessary that may also be
provided mailing list specifically for the learning website that serves as a forum for discussion.
LMS (Learning Management System) enables the learning activities are managed in the
absence of face-to-face between the parties involved (administrators, facilitators, learners or
learners). ‘Presence’ the parties involved is represented by e-mail, chat channel, or via video
conference. In today’s era where information and communication technology is rapidly
developed and turns to be a lifestyle for people throughout ages and places, its literacy has
undoubtedly become a prior necessity. The sensitivity of the technology helps one in attending a
more important task and in attaining a higher achievement in the area of education, professional
career, and social relationship at which its literacy is a major requisite. ICT which stands for
Information and Communication Technology is elaborated as follows.
a. ICT
ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, and transmit or receiving
information electronically in a digital form. For example, personal computers, digital television,
email, robots. So ICT is concerned with the storage, retrieval, manipulation, transmission or
receipt of digital data. Importantly, it is also concerned with the way these different uses can
work with each other.

 Information
Information means the processed data in a meaningful and purposeful form, according to
Shore in Hartoyo.
  Communication
Communication is defined as a process by which we assign and convey meaning in an
attempt to create shared understanding. Communication is transfer of information from one
person to another, whether or not it elicits confidence. But the information transferred must be
understandable to the receiver.

 Technology
Technology derived from the word ‘techno’ which means technique, art or skill, and ‘logos’
which means science. Therefore, technology can be defined as a scientific knowledge of art or
skill.
Based on the definitions of the three components, ICT as a whole can be described as the
utility of technology to support the effort of conveying information and communication
particularly in the area of education. The technique includes digital technologies mostly of
electronic information – processing technologies, such as computers, internet, mobile phones,
networks, broadband, and so on.
b. The benefits of ICT in general
ICT is found to be advantageous in several ways: (1) technology facilitates exposure to
authentic language; (2) technology provides the access to wider sources of information and
varieties of language; (3) technology gives the opportunity to people to communicate with the
world outside; (4) technology allows a learner – centered approach; (5) technology develops
learner’s autonomy. ICT helps people in order to get information and to communicate each other
in wider range.
c. ICT Tools in Language Context
There are some kinds of technologies classified into information and communication
technology commonly used in language context, such as:

 Interactive multimedia
Interactive media is the integration of digital media including combinations of electronic
text, graphics, moving images, and sound, into a structured digital computerized environment
that allows people to interact with the data for appropriate purposes. The digital environment can
include the Internet, telecoms and interactive digital television.

 Computer
Computer can be utilized with other multimedia learning devices or it can stand alone (a
standard PC) and still serves its basic purpose as an electronic medium of language learning.
Computer is an electronic device which is capable of receiving information (data) and
performing a sequence of logical operations in accordance with a predetermined but variable set
of procedural instruction (program) to produce results in the form of information or signals based
on Oxford dictionary. It is consist of CPU, monitor, keyboard and some other apparatus.
  Audio devices
Audio devices can be used with other media to form an interactive multimedia. However, it
can also be utilized separately as independent tool. Audio devices include speaker, earphone,
CD, and etc.

 Internet
Internet can be used as a medium of language learning through email, www (World Wide
Web) text, audio and video conferencing.

 Television
According to Oxford dictionary, television is a system for converting visual images (with
sound) into electrical signals, transmitting them by radio or other means, and displaying them
electronically on a screen.

 Telephone
This telephone medium has not been widely used for language teaching because of the poor
quality of analogue transmissions. However, there is new invent of digital quality and lower
connection cost which potential for conference calls.

 Mobile gadget
Mobile gadgets such as cell phone and smart phone which are equipped with programs like
computer, which enable it to perform as mini personal computer. By using this gadget and its
internet connection, everybody could enjoy chatting, browsing, and discuss each other with the
wider range. The advancement of science and technology makes the size and price of those
gadgets are getting cheaper and reachable.

 Social interface
This media provides facility or example that enables an interaction between human and
computer. People set up more interaction with computer in a more intuitive way with less effort-
through writing, voice, touch, eye movements, and other gestures. This technology serves as the
milestone of the recent development of interactive multimedia, audio-graphic computer
teleconference, and interactive television via satellite.

 Interactive whiteboard
An interactive whiteboard or IWB, is a large interactive display (such as a touch screen
monitor) which is connected to a computer and projector. A projector projects the computers’
desktop onto the board’s surface, where users control the computer using a pen, finger or other
devices.
d. Current application of ICT in English language teaching and learning
ICT defined as technology which the function is to support the process of conveying
information and communication. The ways of conveying information doesn’t have to be carried
out directly between the communicator and the communicant. The development of ICT makes
the process of communication between the communicator and the communicant can be conveys
in easy ways. They can communicate through telephone, internet, e-mail, satellite, television,
video conference and so on. The process of those communications applies in language learning.
In language learning, there is a communication between teacher and student. The process of
learning is not always carried out by subjecting teacher and students in the certain room or a
certain place directly. As the example, teacher can use internet as the medium to give lessons,
assignments, or other information to their students.
In context of language learning, ICT has an important role as the “media” bridging and
enabling the learning process, or direct communication between students and teacher although
they are not present in the same room or place in certain time. Language learning program can be
created to enable students to learn the lessons with guidance, instruction, information or further
explanation. ICT in language learning used as a reference-book. Computer can store unlimited
lessons or references, which can be accessed anytime, anywhere and accurately. Hartoyo (2008)
sets out the seven ways in which ICT used in language learning:
a) Presentation
Some material of language learning such as text-based materials, audio-video needs to
present to the learners. Presentation helps learners in understanding the learning material well.
b) Practice
Some of different exercises types are possible to be provided with ICT, incorporating the
presentation stimuli in varying combinations of text, audio and video format. ICT also offers the
possibility of the analyzing learners’ responses with appropriate feedback.
c) Authoring
In applying ICT in language learning, teacher can either purchase ready-made materials
or create their own exercise materials using a variety of authoring tools.
d) Computer-Aided Assessment (CAA)
Computer-Aided Assessment (CAA) is playing an increasingly important role in foreign
language teaching and learning. This media used to testing and assessing students understanding
after learning some courses.
e) Publishing
ICT tools exist to help teachers and learners or students to publishing or linked in their work
in a local area network. ICT may use by the teacher and learners to help them publish their work
in these ways:

 Word – processors and Desk Top Publishing (DTP) software

 Doing audio recording and editing tools to record interview, discussions, learning
material and etc
 Using digital camera and camcorder to record presentations, drama, role play, and so on
 Power point can be used as the medium to publish presentations
 Web pages using web authoring tools
f) Communications
Technology can help learners and teachers to communicate with another. Some ICT tools
which can use as the medium of information are: 1) Email, which allows language learners to
communicate with ‘web pals’ in other countries; 2) computer mediated discussion; 3) web-based
learning environment; 4) audio conferencing; 5) Video Conferencing.
g) Simulations
The computer can act as a stimulus which generates analysis, critical thinking, discussion
and writing. Program which include simulations are especially effective as stimuli. Examples of
language learning tasks which ‘simulate’ real world tasks are : 1) Web Quest; 2) Action Mazes;
3) Adventure games; 4) Sunpower; 5) Expodisc; 6) “Real-life” simulations; 7) video conference.
IV. ANALYSIS
ICT appears to give both advantages and disadvantages. ICT in language learning
reduces the intimacy of students – teacher relationship that it may negatively contributes to
students affective feelings in the process of learning. However, ICT appears as a ‘bridge’ to
break the distance and ‘survive’ the learning. In case of distance, teachers can use ICT through
video conference to enable them teach or monitor the students learning process. Therefore, the
development of ICT is seen as a better way of teaching and learning a certain language compared
to the existing methods. Through the internet, teacher or learners can obtain as many as possible
sources related to the learned – language; such as text, songs, stories, etc. Those sources can
contribute as models of the learned – language use in the real context and in a proper manner. In
addition, computer can also be used as a more interactive aid to support the learning of language
compared to that of tape recorder, or chalk and blackboard. However, you can see that many of
the technology solutions available in the world of education can lead to confusion among the
teachers on how to choose the right ICT technology solutions. Let’s take a look at the advantages
and disadvantages of ICT tools for education and finding a suitable ICT education solution for
the needs of the school.
 Advantages:
1. The information required will be more quickly and easily accessible for educational
purposes.
2. Innovation in learning is growing in the presence of e-learning innovations that further
facilitate the educational process.
3. Progress of ICT will also allow the development of virtual classroom or classroom-based
teleconference that does not require the educator and learners are in one room.
4. System administration in an institution will be more easily and smoothly because of the
application of ICT systems.
Disadvantages:
1. Progress of ICT will also occur of violation of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for the
easy access to the data that is causing people plagiarist will commit fraud.
2. Although the systems of the administration of an educational institution like a system
without a gap, but if there is recklessness in running the system would be dangerous.
 3. One of the negative impacts of television is to train children to think short and survive
concentrated in a short time (short span of attention).

V. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION

ICT is a form of advanced science technology must be optimized function, especially in
the implementation of learning. ICT provides opportunities for students in the era of global
competition needs to obtain adequate supplies. Through innovative ICT-based learning can
provide vast opportunities for students to hone and promote competence on an international
scale. On the other hand, mental attitude and self-reliance in accessing any information necessary
learning independently influence the value teaching student’s character it does not always
depends with others. Mastering current trick is necessity for every human being inedible age. as
well as in education, innovative learning, especially learning can be done by using the Internet to
generate device-based learning ICT
Reference
Hartoyo, S. (2008). Individual Differences in Computer-Assisted Language Learning. Semarang:
Pelita Insani Semarang.
Hennessy, S., Harrison, D., & Wamakote, L. (2010). Teacher factors influencing classroom use
of ICT in Sub-Saharan Africa. Itupale Online Journal of African Studies, 2, 39-54. Retrieved
on10th December 2016 from http:// www.cambridgetoafrica.org/ resources/hennessy
%20etal_final.pdf
Kayser, A. McKenzie, C., Russell, M. & Sorin, R.(2009).Creating Meaningful Web Pages: A
Project-Based Course / Amy Kayser. Retrieved on 20th December, 2016 from
http://www.ido.rudn.ru/ nfpk/ikt/vved.html.
Victoria L. T. (1999). Modificating teaching through ICT. The American journal. 12, 56-63