Computer Assisted Instruction（CAI） in Language Teaching

Xin Jing

There are many ways to use computers for English language teaching.First of all，teachers can use them to prepare for classes.They can use a word processing program to write teaching materials and tests.They can use dictionaries，encyclopedias，etc.，available on the computer as resources to help them prepare materials.Computer networks are also useful for getting teaching materials，exchanging them with other teachers，and getting new ideas or suggestions for handling particular problems.Teachers can use commercial databases to obtain teaching materials.

Computers can also be used to make classes more effective.There are two ways to use them（Kitao，1994c）.One way is for the teacher to present pictures，videos，and written text with or without sound.Teachers can put photos on a photo CD and show them on computers.We can handle multiple media at the same time with a computer，and it is easier to handle a computer than handling a slide projector and a tape recorder at the same time.

The other way to use computers is to have students use the computers themselves，working individually--this is actually computer assisted instruction.The computer provides materials to study and students can interact with the computer，that is，they have a library and a tutor.They can work on drills，tutorials，games，and simulations.They can work by themselves or with classmates in pair work or group work.Interaction between/among students is as important as that with a computer in learning.

Students can use databases to read articles and work on making a vocabulary list，writing a summary of each article，or writing a report using the information they find.Nishinoh（1994）reported that after his students wrote reports based on information from databases，they liked to make presentations on the reports they had written，and also they enjoyed reading other students' reports on the computer screen

CAI is good for motivating students to study English.Students are anxious to use computers.Many students are tired of traditional English classes and are interested in a new style of learning.W.They can study English with their own learning styles，and they can see the results of their learning.Students think materials are new and fresh if they are presented on computers，and they are often interested in even routine tasks such as learning to type.They seem to be willing to spend more hours and do more exercises on a computer than by hand（Kitao，1993c）.

Students can get different types of input using a computer.Using multi-media materials，computers can display written text and use sounds，still pictures，and video.Students feel things are more real and more easily understood.Through simulation and other techniques，computers can present abstract things in a concrete and easily understood way.They also have access to various types of aids，including dictionaries，pictures，graphs of intonation，and voice recordings.

CAI，of course，requires computers and software as well as other equipment，all of which are expensive.A special classroom is also necessary，along with technicians to keep the computers working properly.Since students often have trouble，assistants are also necessary to help students with the problems they may have.If many classes are using the computer room，scheduling is likely to be difficult（Kitao，1994a）.

Some students can never really adjust to using computers.They are never comfortable with them，and these students often make mistakes.CAI is not most effectively used for traditional classes.To use computers most effectively，it is necessary to develop new methods and materials that are specifically for computers，rather than just transferring materials from a book to a computer.It may also be necessary to change the way students are evaluated.It is also necessary to train teachers.They need to understand the theory behind CAI as well as how to use computers.They have to learn the best methods for teaching classes with computers.by taking courses and attending conferences，etc.

There are many limitations of equipment and facilities，and some teachers may not be able to do what they want to do.Once computer laboratories are established，it is not possible to re-equip them for several years.During that period，hardware and software developments will occur.It is necessary to make good decisions about what the computers will be used for and to buy the most appropriate hardware and software for those purposes，which preferably can be upgraded easily when technology changes.

References：

[1]Austin.Roger； Mendlick，Florian.1993.E-Mail in Modern Language Development ReCALL.v9 p19-23 Nov.

[2]Christine Irvine Niakaris.1997.Current Proficiency Testing.35（2，）.

[3]Eckhouse.J.（1993）.Wider world plugs in to cruise the information super highway.South China Morning Post.Technology 4.June 8.1993.