It is no more news to everyone that we now live in a digital world; a world where all of us are connected globally with just cable networks and social media platforms. It feels sometimes like we have cheated all the human races that have come before us yet many of us are still not using the bounties that lie right in front of our eyes to its fullest. For those trying to learn a language like French, this is mostly true. This can stern from lack of the technical know-how, so I would like to explain to you on this blog article the exact ways you can leverage technology to help learn and master any language of your choice…..
It is no more news to everyone that we now live in a digital world; a world where all of us are connected globally with just cable networks and social media platforms. It feels sometimes like we have cheated all the human races that have come before us yet many of us are still not using the bounties that lie right in front of our eyes to its fullest. For those trying to learn a language like French, this is mostly true. This can stern from lack of the technical know-how, so I would like to explain to you on this blog article the exact ways you can leverage technology to help learn and master any language of your choice. Information Technology in the 21st Century I am always perplexed when I hear my students tell me they do not have tools to use learn French or that they can not learn French once they leave the classroom. Worse still, many of them before now were always telling me countless times that they do no have native French speakers around them to speak the language with as they learn.I am so much choleric and melancholic to know that these are just excuses to learn or lack of the right orientation towards learning a language not only even French. If you fall into the described categories of students, you might indeed find this article very much useful to you. I love to tackling this issue once the students are open-minded to listen and use the never-ending options that I propose to learning the language quick easier and faster.In this 21st century, which happens to be the Information Age, due to the proliferation of mobile devices, more than half of the world’s population have access to the internet (2018 estimate), allowing humans to be more interconnected than ever before. No doubt, Technology developments continue to change society. This means that now more than ever, we can always use technology to advance our linguistics pursuits.Not all technological developments are fit for language learning, just as not all persons know well about the countless amounts of devices, social media platforms, search engines, questioning platforms and even self-help learning materials. I will give an extensive explanation of the technologies available for language learning how you can make use of them to your advantage. Technologies for Language Learning 1. Interactive whiteboards – An interactive whiteboard (IWB) also commonly known as Interactive board or Smart boards is a large whiteboard. It can either be a standalone touchscreen computer used independently to perform tasks and operations, or a connectable apparatus used as a touchpad to control computers from a projector. It is essentially useful to language learners in a classroom setting with their language coach as it can play various types of media and provide interactive lessons for the students.2. Virtual Classrooms – A virtual learning environment(VLE), also known as a learning platform, simulates a virtual classroom or meetings by simultaneously mixing several communication technologies. Web conferencing software enables students and instructors to communicate with each other via webcam, microphone, and real-time chatting in a group setting. Participants can raise hands, answer polls or take tests. With this, you can always organise a classroom with any native speaker anywhere in the world. Many people do this now during the coronavirus lockdown period.3. Computers, Mobile Phones and other devices – Many of us have mobile phones and even laptops but we are not making use of them well enough to learn a language. The notepads, voice recorder, camera, music player etc are all good tools in these gadgets you can use to save texts, audios and videos on the devices for continous learning outside of the classroom.4. Mobile Applications and Computer Software – The processing powers and storage capabilities of modern mobiles allow for advanced development and the use of apps. Many app developers and education experts have been exploring smartphone and tablet apps as a medium for collaborative learning. Computers and tablets enable learners and educators to access websites as well as applications. There are many apps on app store, play store and other downloading media up for grabs free for you to learn the words, grammar, pronunciations of a language.5. Wikis, Blogs and blogging – Group webpages, blogs and wikis allow learners and educators to post thoughts, ideas, and comments on a website in an interactive learning environment. This can be a very good resource for language learners especially when you want discuss an aspect of language or problem area.6. Social networks – Social networking sites like Facebook, Couchsurfing, Twitter, Instagram, etc are other virtual communities for people interested in a particular subject to communicate by voice, chat, instant message, video conference, or blogs with native speakers.7. Audios and Videos – Audio and Video technologies include tapes and DVDs, as well as on-demand and synchronous methods with digital video via server or web-based options such as streamed video and webcams. These can be used by language learners all by themselves at the comfort of their homes, offices during leisure hours.8. Questioning Platforms – Quora is an international question-and-answer websitewhere questions are asked, answered, followed, and edited by Internet users, either factually or in the form of opinions. Quora is the major asking site used by many foreign language speakers and learners, so you are rest assured of finding people to interact with on a daily or weekly basis as you see fit.9. Online Games and Simulations – Simulation and Gaming can be done with board games, computer assisted board games, or fully computerized environments.Simulations are instructional scenarios where the learner is placed in a “world” defined by the teacher. Serious games promote exciting learning. Games are a form of organized play, in the way that they have set goals and rules to guide players. You can learn language with fun though these means.10. A learning management system (LMS) is software used for delivering, tracking and managing training and education like the ones used on this official website and our French language school. It tracks data about attendance, time on task, and student progress. Educators can post announcements, grade assignments, check on course activity, and participate in class discussions. Students can also submit their work, read and respond to discussion questions, and take quizzes.The Gradual Process Life is not in a rush, so does your language learning process be. Take things easy. You can not always use all the ten (10) technologies at once. In fact, starting with one and gradually moving to as much as you can work with is best but you can mix two or more technologies if you have already been involved in the learning of a language before now. Just have fun while using them to learn! At the end of the day, you will learn the language stress-free with less barriers if you leverage technology in your learning process. I look forward to hearing and reading your language learning success story. Until we meet again, do have a lovely day! Talk to you soon!