Module Code - Title:

LI4113 - LANGUAGE TECHNOLOGY

Year Last Offered:

2023/4

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

1

Lab

0

Tutorial

2

Other

3

Private

4

Credits

6

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

To introduce students to the major pedagogical, professional and research applications of technology in modern foreign language learninig and to enable students to integrate these into their studies.

Syllabus:

The module will seek to define and contextualise language learning and Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL). It will introduce a number of CALL applications for practical hands-on testing, including: Virtual learning Environments, shared workspaces and Social Networking sites. Students will be sourcing, creating, and evaluating on-line resources (covering, for example, blogs, wikis). Dedicated and generic CALL packages will be investigated. The other two main areas for study include Corpus Linguistics (corpora and concordancing) and Machine Translation techniques and application in the context of evaluating their effectiveness in personalised student Language Learning.

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: - Identify key criteria in CALL evaluation theories. - Develop personalised criteria for the evaluation and exploitation of CALL resources. - Develop and apply the use of corpora in language learning context. - Assess the importance and effectiveness Machine Translation for language learning. - Organise and write a reflective blog illustrating their thoughts on the most effective language learning teachniques to employ when engaged with CALL.

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: - Collaborate and respond to virtual and in-class discussions on personalised language learning techniques in CALL contexts. - Display evidence of personalised CALL evaluation criteria

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

Not applicable

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

The module consists of 1 common lecture hour plus two CALL lab hours with three hours set aside for preparation and final summarisation of the applied practice involved in each of the CALL lab 2 hour sessions. In addition, students are expected to complete 4 hours private study per week on background readings and writing personalised blog entries.

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Prime Texts:

A. Chambers, J. Conacher and J. Littlemore (2004) ICT and Language Learning: Integrating Pedagogy and Practice , University of Birmingham Press

Arnold, N. & Ducate, L. (2006) Calling on CALL: From Theory and Research to New Directions in Foreign Language Teaching , CALICO, Texas, USA

Sinclair, J (2004) How to Use Corpora in Language Teaching , Amsterdam: John Benjamins

Other Relevant Texts:

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

Semester - Year to be First Offered:

Autumn - 09/10

Module Leader:

liam.murray@ul.ie