Technology has been changing learning for over a decade. The Ask a Tech Teacher team has insights into what that means in the teaching of English:
How Is Technology Changing the Way English Is Taught?
Technology has always been crucial when it comes to the field of education, but it has never before had such an impact on the way in which English is taught and learned than it has today. Virtual classrooms, instant feedback, and AI tools are all helping teachers to deliver more effective lessons while simultaneously supporting students in their learning journeys.
Online classes have been around for a while, but the Covid-19 pandemic really brought their potential to the fore. As internet use has become more accessible across the globe and Wi-Fi is now more reliable, the latest technology is rapidly changing the way English is taught in countries all over the world. From artificial intelligence to mobile apps and online learning spaces, cutting-edge tech is making an enormous difference for educators and learners alike.
How Do Educators Use Technology To Teach English Today?
Educators are now using technology such as AI and smartphone apps to teach English today. They are also making use of the internet and strong Wi-Fi connections to deliver lessons to learners in virtual classrooms.
Whether teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) in-person in a physical setting or virtually online, educators today are increasingly making use of the latest technological developments to maximise the effectiveness of their lessons and improve the outcomes of their learners. When those who are eager to become TEFL professionals study for their TEFL certificate with a company such as The TEFL Org, they learn how to make the best use of these tools to not only support their students but also make their own lives easier.
The most common technology used today by English teachers includes:
- Artificial intelligence.
- Mobile phone applications.
- High-speed internet.
- Virtual learning spaces.
- Smartboards.
When educators harness the power of these tools, they can simplify the process of teaching English while also ensuring that their students get as much benefit as possible from their classes.
How Can AI Be Used When Teaching English?
AI or artificial intelligence can be used to create customised lesson plans, give instant feedback to learners, and even practice English speaking and writing with learners.
Customised Lessons
When educators receive their TEFL certificate from a reputable organisation such as The TEFL Org, they will have already learned about the importance of creating effective lesson plans that are tailored to meet the needs of individual students. However, this can be extremely time-consuming and challenging. AI can make an enormous difference when it comes to customising tasks to suit the requirements of each learner, thanks to its ability to use student data and metrics to build English writing and reading tasks that are designed around unique needs.
Immediate Feedback
There are now AI programmes available that can listen to a student speaking or reading out loud while also instantly offering them feedback on their progress and correcting their pronunciation or grammatical errors in an instant.
Speaking Practice
A vital part of learning any language is the speaking component. However, this is something that many students find embarrassing and difficult. AI bots hold the power to make this crucial aspect trouble-free. Learners can converse in English with the bot and receive real-time responses without ever having to worry about making a mistake in front of their peers.
How Do Educators Use Mobile Apps To Teach English?
Mobile apps give educators the ability to set tasks that learners can complete from anywhere in their own time. Online applications also offer interesting and engaging ways to study and learn outside the traditional classroom environment and without the need for standard books. Teachers can set online quizzes for their students to complete via their smartphone or direct their learners to specific platforms where they can continue their English education at a time and place that suits them.
Can Teachers use Technology To Improve Their Teaching And Simplify Their Workday?
Technology is proving to be extremely useful to English teachers who are using it to automate repetitive and tedious tasks so that they can focus on the more important elements of their role.
Today’s smart technology is able to handle things such as grading papers and drawing up progress reports automatically, without the need for educators to spend hours getting hands-on with their paperwork. As a result, tech is freeing up English teachers, giving them more time and freedom to focus on the needs of students and forming stronger connections with their classes so that they can achieve better outcomes.
How Are Virtual Classrooms Used When Teaching English?
Virtual classrooms have an increasingly crucial role to play in teaching English as a foreign language as they enable students from all over the world to access an education that may not have been available to them in a physical setting.
At one time, learning English as a foreign language meant heading to a language school or college to undertake an in-person class, and this could lead to significant issues for certain learners that would effectively exclude them from acquiring and developing the English skills that they so desperately needed. Those with caring responsibilities, people who had to work long or unpredictable shifts, and those who lived in rural or inaccessible locations far away from an appropriate language school were just some of the prospective learners who found themselves frozen out of the advantages that can come with having strong English language skills.
As the internet has expanded its reach and high-speed wi-fi is now increasingly available across the globe, these once excluded learners can now reap the benefits of English language classes by participating in an online class in a virtual classroom. Delivered by a TEFL-qualified professional with a certificate from a reliable body such as The TEFL Org, these lessons can be attended by anyone, regardless of where they are located, making it easier than ever to study, gain confidence, and unlock the potential for a better and more lucrative career.
Thanks to technology, English is now being taught in more innovative, interactive, and engaging ways, and this is all good news for would-be students, wherever they may be, as opportunities to learn are now at their fingertips!
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“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
