INTERNET AUDIO COMMUNICATION FOR SECOND LANGUAGELEARNING: A COMPARATIVE REVIEW OF SIX PROGRAMS

The passage, which I have read, tells about the software programs that are used to communicate on internet in order to practice our second language. In the article, these software programs are compared and contrasted with each other.
Firstly, AOL instant messenger is considered by explaining that this software is the first instant messaging program and was very widely used. However, it has some deficiencies: It hasn’t the advantage of video capability, has limited audio capabilities. Secondly, in the article, yahoo messenger for windows is regarded. It has instant message, chat room and conference capabilities. It also supports audio and video communication which enable people communicate more easily. In other words, it is more capable than AOL instant messenger. Thirdly, it tells about msn messenger, which is very widely used in communication and for second language practice. It has lots of qualities as instant messaging, conference, audio, video and text chat. It has two versions as windows and msn messenger. Almost in all languages, there are chat rooms and everybody can practice their second language via these chat rooms. And finally, the article tells about PalTalk and iVisit which are very capable software in terms of communication and second language practicing. They have audio chat, video, audio-video recording, playback and access control, but they are not user directed.
To conclude, there are a lot of software programs that makes it easy to practice a second language via the internet. However, they may have some disadvantages such as manipulated by some ill-mannered users. In fact, if people make use of these programs in a beneficial way, they will be very useful in second language learning.

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM:ELECTRONIC DISCUSSION AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING

I have read an article recently called “A Funny Thing Happen on the way to the Forum: Electronic Discussion and Foreign Language Learning” In this article, a case study, which tells about four Anglophone students (David, Laura, Eleanor, Fleurie) that use electronic discussion lists in order to improve their French, is told. In the article, it is obvious that these forums are more concerned with the topics the students discuss rather than their aim of improving their French by practicing. Even though David and Laura, who join the political discussions, use English most of the time, not French, they are given more importance at the discussion forum than Eleanor and Fleurie, whose aim is only practicing their French. The article is discussing what the reason of this contradiction is and what language teachers can do about this problematic issue. It is clear that only practicing a language is not a good discussion topic for these discussion forums. Therefore, it is a crucial issue for teachers to be aware of these facts and also make the students be aware of so that they can make benefit from them.
To conclude, the article tells us a case study which is a very current issue and which need attention from both students of language learning and language teachers so that they can make use of discussion forums in a useful way.

Summary of Communities of Practice: A Brief Introduction

The article called “Communities of Practice: A Brief Introduction” tells about what communities of practice means, what it includes, how and in which areas it is applied. Firstly, in the article, it is explained that Communities of Practice should have three traits such as domain, community and practice. If these characteristics are not included, we cannot accept it as a community of practice. Furthermore, the writer explains that Communities of Practices may come into existence from small groups and they may be local as well as universal. Moreover, the article mentions the activities by means of which the communities develop their practices. These activities are problem solving, requests for information, seeking experience, reusing assets, coordination and synergy, discussing developments, documentation projects, visits, and mapping knowledge and identifying gaps. In the article, it is also told that where the concept of Communities of Practice comes from. In addition, the writer also mentions the applications of the concept in different areas such as organizations, government, education, associations, social sector, international development and the web. In the light of this information, it is important to say that the article is a very useful source for having a detailed idea about Communities of Practice as it covers it very effectively.

Summary of Introduction to the History of CALL

The text called “Introduction to Computer-Assisted Language Learning” ,which I have read recently, explains what CALL is, what it is about, how it was applied and how we will use it in our lesson.
To begin with, in the text, it is mentioned that CALL is an acronym which is the abbreviation of “Computer-Assisted Language Learning” As it can be inferred from the full name, the importance of utilizing computers in language learning is emphasized. According to the text, there were some other acronyms, such as CELL (Computer-enhanced language learning) and TALL (Technology-assisted language learning) which are also closely related to CALL as there are a lot of philosophies about it. Then, the root of CALL is mentioned by citing the dates at which CALL has improved and changed. When we look at this change, we can easily realize that CALL has passed some crucial steps to reach its situation today.
To conclude, we can understand the importance of CALL, its meaning and history, which provide us very crucial information about it.