Teaching English as a foreign language in a digital world

摘要

Information and Communication Technologies ( ict ) are continuously evolving and when inte- grated appropriately these can facilitate for- eign language learning classes. Connecting the curriculum to real world tasks in this way pre- pares "learners for the challenge of coping with the language they hear and read in the real world outside the classroom" (Nunan, 2004, p.50). This paper discusses the use of ict and the way it can motivate young learners of the age of 9–12, during their efl classes, increas- ing their linguistic repertoire and developing their language skills. It also discusses how important it is for a teacher to be innovative, creating great opportunities for learning and without forgetting that "professional devel- opment must focus not only on how to use a particular hardware or software, but also on how it is used in alignment with more effec- tive pedagogy, content, and context" (Li and Ni, 2010, p.120). Using ict with a combina- tion of interesting activities, motivating videos and songs through the use of the internet and the World Wide Web students can practice the target language, and be encouraged to become active explorers of language, whilst simultane- ously gaining fluency.