Investigation And Research Of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) In Junior High Schools

With the development of computer technology and modern educational theories, the role that Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) plays in modern education is becoming more and more important. It is a tendency for CALL to be used in English class. In order to better know the development of CALL in junior high school, the author had done quite a lot of detailed and in-depth investigations and researches in three representative junior high schools in Qiqihar City. By questionnaire survey and on-the-spot investigation, we get to find out the real problems cropped up in the use of CALL. The investigation participants consisted of 24 English teachers,3 Audio-visual teachers and 218 students. The questionnaire survey explored the configuration of computer hardware and software in the schools; computational competence of teachers and students and their attitudes toward CALL. The results show that: although lots of the hardware equipments have been improved, they still cannot meet the needs of CALL. Most of the teachers and students take positive attitudes toward CALL, but most of them lack the needed expertise. And in CALL class, the communication becomes less and less between teachers and students. Suggestions are accordingly given: increasing investment for the development of instructional technology to strive for bringing CALL to the right path; the teachers'computational competence directly effects the efficiency of CALL, so increasing the proportion of CALL in all teachers'training to improve their ability to use CALL; setting up the library of integrable ware and providing teachers with the right software to lighten the burden of the teachers. At last, it proposes the way to understand the role of CALL and traditional teaching. It is argued that CALL cannot replace traditional style of English teaching, but assist it. We should integrate CALL with traditional English teaching. Meanwhile, increasing communications as well as mutual emotions between teachers and students. Lay a solid foundation for the students to communicate with others in English. This is our real purpose of using CALL.