ERIC Number: EJ902177
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Sep
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1030-8385
EISSN: N/A
Technology Use in ESL: An Investigation of Students' Experiences and the Implications for Language Education
Tour, Ekaterina
TESOL in Context, v20 n1 p5-21 Sep 2010
In Australia, information and communication technologies (ICT) are a significant element of a multicultural and multilingual society. However, some people (in particular, international students, immigrants, refugees) may experience many challenges because they use technology in English as their second language (ESL) and in a new sociocultural environment. Informed by a sociocultural perspective and Bill Green's 3-D model (Green, 1988), the study views technology as a complex social, multimodal and multidimensional practice which requires relevant capabilities--technoliteracy. The case studies focus on four international students and their experiences with technology use in ESL. This paper introduces five interrelated categories of challenges--navigation, comprehension, application of discourses, critical analysis and the affective domain. It also outlines the capabilities required for technoliteracy practices in ESL--the English language capabilities, ICT capabilities, contextual capabilities and critical capabilities. The discussion focuses on the need for educators to rethink the use of ICT in a language classroom.
Descriptors: Sociocultural Patterns, Multilingualism, Foreign Countries, Criticism, Immigrants, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Information Technology, Case Studies, Foreign Students, Technological Literacy, Second Language Instruction, Technology Integration, Language Teachers
Australian Council of TESOL Associations. P.O. Box 2019, Smithfield, New South Wales 2164, Australia. e-mail: actaexec@yahoo.com.au; Web site: http://www.tesol.org.au/Publications/TESOL-in-Context
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A