Impact of Technology Use on English Language Teaching at the Undergraduate Level in Bangladesh (original) (raw)

2016, The Journal of EFL Education and Research (JEFLER)

Abstract

Effective use of technologies in education can enhance both learning and teaching and the introduction of computer into foreign language instruction seems to conform to the statement. This study attempted to explore the impact of the use of technology, such as computer, internet, and multimedia projector on English language teaching at the undergraduate level in Bangladesh. The participants were 4 EFL teachers and 40 undergraduate students studying English as their compulsory study course. The study applied in-depth interview and questionnaire to collect data. The study revealed that use of technologies had a mixed impact on English language teaching; the technologies encouraged and motivated the students to be more connected to their lessons; teachers also felt more confident and classes were more lively and effective in technology applied classroom. It was also found that technologies had some negative impacts too. The study also found that the use of technologies effectively in classroom was not much common in our country and every teacher was not well trained to handle modern technologies too. So, they suggested different sorts of training that would be helpful for them. Finally, this study suggested that trained teachers and assistance of the institutions were important to implement technologies at the undergraduate level.

Key takeaways

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  1. Technology use in English language teaching significantly enhances student engagement and teacher confidence.
  2. The study involved 4 EFL teachers and 40 undergraduate students from four private universities in Dhaka.
  3. Mixed impacts of technology were observed, with both positive and negative effects on teaching and learning.
  4. Teachers emphasized the need for training and institutional support to effectively integrate technology in classrooms.
  5. 85% of students agreed that technologies improved their English learning experience, highlighting the importance of modern tools.

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References (21)

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FAQs

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What are the major technologies used in Bangladesh for teaching English?add

The study found that teachers commonly used computers, multimedia projectors, and the internet in their English language classes at private universities in Dhaka.

What percentage of teachers expressed a positive attitude towards technology use?add

The research revealed that 100% of teachers strongly agreed on the value of technology as instructional tools for teaching English languages.

What are the primary obstacles teachers face in integrating technology in classrooms?add

Teachers reported inadequate training opportunities and a lack of sufficient audio-visual equipment as major obstacles affecting the integration of technology.

How do students perceive the impact of technology on their language learning?add

Approximately 87.5% of students agreed that technology positively impacted their English learning experience, enhancing engagement and interest in class.

What recommendations were made for improving technology use in English teaching?add

The study suggests enhancing teacher training in technology use and providing better resources and equipment to improve the effectiveness of language teaching.