Teaching and Learning Foreign Languages with ICT

Abstract

The use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in teaching and learning foreign languages has risen sharply among the educational community. Teachers access and implement innovations without always realizing their full implications for them and their students. However, this is not necessarily a negative thing, because if no one used innovations, little progresses would be made and there would be nothing to evaluate. The article presents certain features of ICT that can be used to good advantage in a rich learning environment, and the use of video as an ICT tool in the foreign language class. The paper also discusses the role of the teacher in implementing technologies and we argue that it is the teacher, not the technology who determines the quality of the learning and teaching. There are people who are afraid that the teacher’s role would be compromised if we integrate information communication technologies in education; however we militate for a ‘techno-humanistic’ system, in which teachers, learners and technology would form a lasting meaningful alliance.