Using technology in foreign language teaching: Conclusion and discussion
One of the arguments for using modern digital technology in the foreign language
classroom is the fa
miliarity of “digital natives” with it. Although it may be a very good
idea to use computers for speaking tasks in both L1 and L2, real communication requires
certain levels of L2 proficiency to be effective. Furthermore, digital technology is usually
not used in the contexts where face-to-face communication is possible, and therefore
would not function like in a natural context. However, in real life situations, audio and
video technology has been successfully used by actors and public speakers to refine and
advance their pronunciation and intonation skills, often in the language they already
speak fluently. Modern computers make audio and video applications available to all
users. They can be used as mini “speech laboratories” in any language class, to stu
dy
and refine L1 or L2 pronunciation and to improve oral performance in general.
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The results of the present study suggest that watching and analyzing videorecordings of
their oral performance allowed the students to be aware of the mistakes they made, and
thereby made it easier for them to improve their L2 pronunciation and intonation,
following the teacher’s instructions. However, just immitatiing model oral texts is not
enough to make much progress in mastering L2 pronunciation. Qualified teacher’s
guidance would be necessary for the effective use of iMovie application. IMovie
application can only optimize the teacher’s instructions and offer the students more
opportunities for practice, and self-evaluation. More detailed study would be required to
finalize the conclusions about the effects of using iMovie application on the optimization
of foreign language teaching and learning.
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2014 CALL Conference
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