1. Using Technology to Develop
Learner’s Language Skills
- Introduction
- Improving listening skills
- Improving speaking skills
- Improving reading skills
- Improving writing skills
- Conclusion

2. INTRODUCTION
Teaching students to be literate is a high educational
priority in throughout the world. The classroom
environment has changed many years ago.
Students learning a new language need as much
language support as possible, they need a variety of
language experiences. They need to hear, speak, read
and write language. Technology can be used as an
effective teaching and learning tool, so computers
proved to play a complete part in providing English
learners with valuable language experiences.

3. Computer-assisted Language Learning (CALL) involves
applying computer hardware and software to a teaching
and learning environment.
Several studies have shown that CALL has positive
results on language learning and it has made language
teaching progressive, adaptable, and approachable.
When we learn a language, there are four skills that we need for a
complete communication.
These are called the four "language skills":
Skill 1: Listening
Skill 2: Speaking
Skill 3: Reading
Skill 4: Writing

4. Improving LISTENING Skills
Listening Skill:
Listening is defined as the process of identifying and
understanding the speech of the speakers. It involves
understanding the speaker’s accent or pronunciation,
speaker’s grammar and vocabulary, and comprehension
of meaning. The listener should be capable of doing
these four things at the same time.
Improving the skill by using computers:
The use of computers in listening problems provides
students with visual and voice inputs which can support
their information and ideas, and develop their listening
skills.

5. Listening skills can be improved by using:
1- Computer-based listening tests, which are very important in
reinforcing the understanding skills of the listener.
2- CD-ROM based learning films can also provide significant
advantages over the traditional methods.
3- Internet voice chatting using the second language also help the
communication capabilities of the student.
4- Listening to TV and radio educational language programs is
another technical way for developing the understanding ability.
5- The use of CD-player devices is another modern tool for listening
comprehension.

6. Listening skills can be improved by using:
6- The learner can use audio CD-players to save lectures
and listening examination for latter use .
7- Video lessons can be very stimulating, and it’s an
enjoyable part of listening development.
8- Target language digital stories help to improve the
learner's listening comprehension.
9- CALL audio software enable faster vocabulary recall
by the second language students.

7. Improving SPEAKING Skills
Speaking Skill:
Speaking is an interactive process of constructing
meaning that involves producing, receiving, and
processing information.
Human communication can be taken place between the
speaker and the listener if only they understand each
other.
Both speaker and listener have a positive function to
perform in simple terms. The speaker has to convert
his message into spoken language, while the listener
has to understand the language of the speaker.

8. Inserting technology in learning English language
speaking can take several forms as indicated in the
following sections:
Use of Internet Voice Chatting:
Chatting is the process of voice communication between the speaker
and the listener through the internet. This process is very useful to
the learner if the other side speaker is a native language talker.
Use of Speech Synthesis Programs:
Modern computer programs can generate voice signals and
decode human sound. These types of programs are defined as
artificial intelligence computer programs and can be a very useful
tool for improving the speaking capability. Practicing with such
programs will strengthen vocabulary and pronunciation abilities
as well.

9. The purpose of using computers in Teaching
Speaking and Pronunciation Skills:
The computer technology is used to create an environment that
encourages communication and provides increased and more varied
communicative opportunities for students to utilize their oral skills.
In teaching speaking skills:
1-The Computer used as a Tutor (human-to-machine interaction).
2- The Computer used as an Instructional Tool (human-to-human
interaction via the computer in the classroom).
3-The Computer used as a Communication Medium (human-to-human
interaction via the computer outside the classroom).

10. In Teaching Pronunciation Skills:
Computer-based activities/programs of pronunciation
instruction include the following:
1- Articulatory charts
2- Sample words utilizing the targeted sound Minimal pairs or
comparison word
3- Listening discrimination of minimal pairs within a sentence
Sample sentences with several words utilizing the targeted sound
4- Dictations
5- Cloze exercises
6- Suprasegmental exercises (including intonation, rhythm,
stress, and timing)

11. Improving READING Skills
Reading Skill:
Reading is the process of understanding a written text by
the learner. It is an important input skill which depends
on the vocabulary and background knowledge of the
learner in the second language
Improving the skill by using computers:
CALL provided a self-paced and motivating language
learning environment. The use of computers can
promote the effectiveness of reading material in terms of
pronunciation, vocabulary, use of words in different
contexts, and comprehension.

12. Reading skills can be improved by using:
1- PowerPoint presentations which generate more interest in
learning among the students because they enjoy reading material
with a variety of pictures and sounds.
2-Computer based reading instruction allows for increased
interaction with texts, attention to individual needs, and increased
independence, through an ability to read texts they would not
otherwise be able to read.
3- Computer software and games provide many fun opportunities
for students to practice literacy skills.

13. Reading skills can be improved by using:
4- Software packages which improves spelling, phonics skills,
grammar and sight word vocabulary.
5- Reading-based computer programs can be used to improve
word vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension of the students.
6- Learning computer programs can check exercises after they
are performed by students, move students gradually from easy to
more difficult problems according to their abilities.
7- Computers can also be used to correct answers for the
learners, and to simulate tests in an easy to understand manner.

14. Reading skills can be improved by using:
8- CD-ROMs can provide an effective and easy way for getting and
reading information to enhance the learners background
knowledge and vocabulary of words.
9- Electronic dictionaries are easy to use and represent quick tools
for vocabulary acquisition and improvement.
10- Browsing internet websites enhance the learner's vocabulary
and reading ability.
11- Multimedia computer programs can increase the motivation for
learners to develop their vocabulary and reading skills.

15. Improving WRITING Skills
Writing skill:
Writing is one of the skills of a language through which a
person uses words in order to express his ideas, feeling,
and emotions regarding one specific subject. Writing is a
medium of communication that represents language
through the inscription of signs and symbols.
Writing is not only a language but also a form of
technology. Within a language system, writing relies on
many of the same structures as speech, such as
vocabulary, grammar and semantics.

16. Improving Writing skill by using
computers:
Computers and software can help English language
learners develop vocabulary skills and knowledge.
Computers can also help students develop their writing
skills. Writing paragraphs in a language that is still
somewhat unfamiliar to students can be difficult and
boring. When using a computer, the writing process is
easy and enjoyable.

17. Writing skills can be improved by using:
1- Graphics can make writing much more enjoyable,
they help students to convey their thoughts more
clearly.
2- Underlining, italicizing, or changing the font size,
color or type to highlight a specific part of speech
throughout the writing help improve grammar skills.
3- Using a computer as a medium for studying
grammar is much more motivating for a student as
opposed to writing with a pencil.

18. Writing skills can be improved by using:
4- Word processing programs can improve grammar
skills. This program is also capable of automatically
checking the spelling and grammar. So, the use of the
computer as a tool in studying grammar is much more
motivating.
5- Electronic mail is a modern way for writing and
transferring messages through the internet. Using e-mail
can be a very effective means for improving writing
skills. Students can use E-mails to learn how to respond
to the incoming messages using some formal
statements and meaningful language.

19. Conclusion
Computer-assisted instruction help to facilitate learning
in a variety of ways. Computers can be used to aide in
teaching English Language Learners in core academic
subjects, such as reading and writing.
Computers can aide in vocabulary development as well
as verbal language development. Ultimately, however, it
is important to recognize that computers are not a
substitute for effective teaching. Computers are a tool,
they are simply a type of supplement to the curriculum
in teaching English Language Learners as they develop
their English language skills.