Ensayo

DOCTORAL FORUM
NATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PUBLISHING AND MENTORING DOCTORAL STUDENT RESEARCH
VOLUME 3 NUMBER 1, 2006

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Computer
Technology in Second Language Acquisition
Cheng-Chieh Lai
PhD Student in Educational Leadership
Prairie View A&M University
College of Education

William Allan Kritsonis, PhD
Professor
PhD Program in Educational LeadershipPrairie View A&M University
Member of the Texas A&M University System
Visiting Lecturer (2005)
Oxford Round Table
University of Oxford, Oxford, England
Distinguished Alumnus (2004)
Central Washington University
College of Education and Professional Studies

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this article is to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
computer technology for second language learning.Research findings indicate that
the use of computer has a positive effect on the achievement levels of second
language learners, but it still has its limitations and weaknesses, such as financial,
isolated, and knowledge required issues. The authors emphasize that we must
recognize both the advantages and disadvantages of using computers so we can get
the maximum effectiveness of technologyto enhance second language learning.

I

nspired by the rapid development of technology from the 1980s, computer has now
become an influential component of second language learning pedagogy. Educators
recognize that utilizing computer technology and its attached language learning
programs can be convenient to create both independent and collaborative learning
environments and providestudents with language experiences as they move through the
various stages of second language acquisition (Kung, 2002).
The purpose of this article is to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
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DOCTORAL FORUM
NATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PUBLISHING AND MENTORING DOCTORAL STUDENT RESEARCH
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computer technologyapplied in current second Language instruction. In second language
acquisition domain, Perrett (1995) has mentioned that if students are provided with the
opportunities to use language and learning strategies in the second language, and some
training or explanation in their application, they can develop these strategies through
exposure to and experience in the second language.” Therefore,explaining the
advantages and disadvantages of computer technology to teachers and students seems to
be necessary. Only after guiding, do teachers and students realize the benefits of
computer technology for second language acquisition, then they can apply computer
appropriately and join those computer assisted language learning programs by their own
wills.

Advantages of CALL ProgramsEducators (Jonassen, 1996; Salaberry, 1999; Rost, 2002) indicate that the current
computer technology has many advantages for second language learning. Computer and
its attached language learning programs could provide second language learners more
independence from classrooms and allowing learners the option to work on their learning
material at any time of the day. Once implemented, it can beexpected that the cost for
computer technology is considerably lower than for face-to-face classroom teaching, and
when used in conjunction with traditional second language classroom study, students can
study more independently, leaving the teacher more time to concentrate effort on those
parts of second language teaching that are still hard or impossible by the computer, such
as pronunciation,work on spoken dialogue, training for essay writing and presentation
(Roger, 1996).
Lee (2000) further stated that the reasons why we should apply computer
technology in second language instruction, include computer and its attached language
learning programs can (a) prove practices for students through the experiential learning,
(b) offer students more the learning motivation, (c) enhance...