CALL: Advantages and Limitations

Abstract

Presently, the application of computer technologies for pedagogical purposes have been spectacularly realised across a variety of disciplines. In terms of foreign language teaching and learning; researchers, educators, and teachers are aware of the increasingly prominent role of computer-assisted language learning (CALL). The article, therefore, manifests interesting research findings and opinions concerning computer usage in the sphere of language education. In the first section, the emphasis is put on history and new trends of CALL usage. Then, computer and language learning and teaching are discussed through contrastive points of view based on a literature study of researchers and educators involved in language pedagogy. Instead of reviewing extensive advantages of CALL for both teachers and learners, limitations are also discussed, particularly for the teachers to gain a critical insight as to how computer technologies may affect language learners and classrooms. Finally, suggestions and recommendations for integrating CALL into language classroom are provided in order to maximise the exploitation of computer technologies to its full potential.