Using Innovative Web Tools to Empower Language Learners

Abstract

Whether in ELI or TESOL programs in English-speaking countries, or intheir home countries, English language learners (ELLs) have specialneeds for programs that can help them to overcome low levels of L2vocabulary and other barriers to their success. Though technology hasgreat potential to help language learners better understand and use wordmeanings, the full potential of technology has not yet been fullyexplored or exploited. This article reviews studies and presentations bythe author on ways to help maximize vocabulary and reading developmentonline. Needs of limited English proficiency learners, especially thosefrom East Asia are addressed, with many recommendations given of ESL/EFLGold programs with greatest potential to help increase motivation andspur more rapid L2 acquisition. The pedagogical goal was to findmulti-level, integrated CALL programs that serve to increase languagelearners' (LLs) use of glossing programs and interactive programs so asto help them to rapidly build up their target language (TL) vocabularyand reading skills. The overall aim of this presentation is to rapidlyreview and recommend some of the finest online literacy tools andso-called ``EFL Gold{''} Websites that can help to empower languagelearners. Two additional goals were 1) to share knowledge of new eratrends and technologies for improving language learning; and 2) tovisualize online tools we can use to improve language and computerliteracy for any language by using a PowerPoint to compare variousGlossing Engines for improving online reading and language learningtechnology. In this APTEL presentation 50-5,000 Websites and links wereshown that can be used to improve both language and computer literacy.There we described a distance learning project between Chinese andJapanese students using an author-designed Semantic Field KeywordApproach (Loucky, 2004) for advanced English vocabulary learning forChinese, Japanese and Arabic students.