Teaching-Learning English Language through ICT
Learning English language has become the core subject today and so also teaching. In order to learn one must have good grasp, clear concept, and develop efficiency in language. Today English is the common core which is realised in the different forms of language that we actually hear or read. There are many varieties of English language; they are divided into various aspects like religion, region, education, and subject-matter, social standing, medium and such. All these aspects has a common factor-grammatical and other characteristics.
Language is the best possession of mankind. It is unique in comparison to other forms of communication. For communication of thought language is essential. Only with the help of language can human beings express their feelings and thoughts clearly and effectively. Dynamism is another essential characteristic of language.
While teaching English language the teacher should keep in mind the following points:
- • Proceed from known to unknown and from concrete to abstract.
- • Select and grade the material.
- • Teach syntax and structures of language wisely.
English being an international language keeps us updated about the advancement and progress happening all over the world in multiple fields. It deals with communication of information and so to teach this language effectively one must have the knowledge of linguistic principles. More and more practice should be given to students in structure and relate it to its meaning, help them build an extensive vocabulary. It can also be done in easier way by showing the pupils some objects, pictures, drawings on the board, gestures and actions.
The modern techniques –an electronic portfolio also known as e-portfolio or digital portfolio is a collection of electronic assembled and managed by the user, usually on the web. This may include inputted text, electronic files, images, multi media, blog entries and hyper links. Electronic portfolios are a creative means of organising, summarising and sharing artefacts, information and ideas about teaching and learning along with personal and professional growth. They can be also used as part of faculty, for sampling of the breadth and depth of a person’s work conveying the abilities, attitudes, experiences and achievements.
Digital portfolio services are provided on the basis of the information stored in a personal record. They have many advantages and purposes. Through it we can have authentic assessment of students, their mastery, their achievements, their feedback, and goals and update them by giving them exercises for higher order thinking skills. With time technology literacy among teachers and students will keep increasing. We will soon have a number of classrooms wired for the use of internet and this will also enable more use of distance learning and distributed education. As we use more and more technology in classrooms it will have a profound impact on education. Similarly digital portfolios can be developed with the help of various software programmes. We can also use other equipments like camera, scanners and cds.
For good teaching teachers must master the educational principles. Information communication technology is not a method but a self accessing course. It refers to the use of technological tools to communicate and dispatch information. This means learning with minimum teacher involvement. ICT can be introduced into English curriculum. This will help to improve reading-writing skills, speaking-listening skills creativity and independent learning. We can also add digital photography and videos. ICT can also help students to understand as to how their text operates in cultural and social context means the ability to use certain hardware, digital camera, word processing, e-mail, publishing packages and power-point. It creates knowledge and understanding of distinctive features of multi-media texts. Real assessment of students can be done by such use of technology. Thus ICT helps to improve language learning in collaborative environment and also enhances interactive teaching and learning styles. And so today, only ICT can make the learning and teaching process easy.
Reference:
- ‘English Language Teaching’ by Navita Arora