Week 4 - Computer Assisted in Language Skills

Assalamualaikum.

In week four, we learned about CALL in language skills LSRWG (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Grammar). Basically there are three areas in listening skills such as perception, analysis, and synthesis. CALL in assisting the learning of listening skills somehow useful because it provides multimedia computing support that makes it easier to deliver the content and make it more interesting. The example of listening software that helps in learning listening skills is Buensoft Ingles 2004.  It was created as a conversational utility where users can add to the program only phrases that they learn. In addition, every English subject is supported by high quality audio and recorded with native speaker voices. Next is speaking skills where it can be divided into three areas such as pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. It is essential in doing transaction and interaction. CALL is useful in developing speaking skills by providing multimedia programs with pronunciation functions and also for direct practice of speaking, For instance, “Voice Chat Sites” that is convenience for learners and teachers to interact through internet.

Besides listening and speaking, one more skill that always been used by people is reading. Reading always becomes the favorite skills for those who love books. Those who are using reading skills do not mean that they just have to read the books, but reading is a skill which need people to understand, assimilate, and retain stories and ideas communicated through the written word.  Besides, reading skills also need the reader to skim, scan, guess and understand the meanings.  According to Beauvois (1994), Lunde (1990) and Faizah Mohammad (2005), a study showed that students who are involved in TELL environment developed their reading skills. In addition, highlighting words in a text on screen are helped to improve the amount of vocabulary incidentally learned by the readers.

In writing skills, there are several elements in it which are vocabulary, spelling, sentence structure, organization, cohesion, coherence, register and genre. Email, processing and text analysis programs are among writing programs that are used in CALL. Besides that, according to Beavois (1998) and Warschaur (1996), writing skills have been found to improve using networked computer because it can make the writing into a better quality. The software such as spelling checkers also helps in word correction and word generation. Grammar is important in learning language as it is important element in producing language.  Nowadays, there are a lot of grammar software such as grammar checker and concordance which are grammar practice multi-media programs. 

Reflection

In order to acquire knowledge specifically in learning a language, there are many skills needed like listening, speaking, reading, writing, and grammar. As a Muslim and a student, we should try our best in acquiring knowledge because it is part of our ibadah. We should try to improve our skills to become better and perhaps the best. Like the first Qur'anic verse that Allah sent down to Prophet Muhammad SAW which is surah al-Alaq verse 1, it is about one of the skills needed in learning which is reading. The verse said, "Read! In the name of your Lord and Cherisher, Who created-." (96:1) This Qur'anic verse is a solid proof on the important of reading skills. Allah SWT specifically highlighted on this verse to summon Prophet SAW to read even though Prophet SAW did not know how to read. That is why as a Muslim we should be able to conquer all the skills required in order to learn. InsyaAllah.