Internet in Language Learning and Teaching

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2.1.4 Internet in Language Learning and Teaching

Chen Fu 2009: 1 stated that “as a new medium of learning in the twenty- first century, the Internet has brought unprecedented opportunities to students”. Many schools, universities, institutions, even families eagerly facilitate the Internet use, especially the practice of using technology to deliver coursework in higher education has seen an absolute explosion. In language learning, learners can also communicate inexpensively and quickly with other learners or speakers of the target language all over the world. Warschauer, the author of many books and journals related to Internet and language teaching, invited Heidi Shetzer and Christine Meloni, two international leaders in the field of on-line language learning, to write the book titled ‘Internet for English Teaching’ which was published in 2000. The writer would like to quote from this book that there are five main reasons to use the Internet for English teaching. These reasons bring English teaching ALIVE authenticity, literacy, interaction, vitality, and empowerment: 1. Authenticity Language teaching should be in authentic and meaningful contexts. The Internet provides huge amounts of authentic materials, sources, and information. The language learners can access the Internet anytime they want to find any topic they are interested in. The Internet also allows opportunities for authentic communication and publishing. 19 2. Literacy In 21 st century, through combining English and technology, the Internet, in the classroom will help the students to master the skills for academy and for their future occupation needs such as the proficiency in reading, writing, communicating, publishing, and research as the new forms of literacy. 3. Interaction The Internet provides the students the opportunities to interact with whether native or nonnative speakers around the world. As we know that interaction is important in acquiring a language and improving the students’ fluency. The success of the English learning requires the learners to have a real communication or interaction in using English. 4. Vitality Learning a language requires the students to learn its grammar and memorize vocabulary; integrating the use of Internet can bring the vitality into teaching and learning process because the Internet is flexible, multimodal, up-to-date, and contextual. 5. Empowerment The Internet allows the students and teachers to become more critical and become autonomous lifelong learners. It can foster someone to find what she or he needs and collaborates with others to construct new knowledge or create impact in the growth of knowledge. 20

2.1.5 Internet for Academic Purposes