How does Technology Affect Language Learning Process at an Early Age?

Abstract

There is a rapid increasing interest in the need to use technology in language learning at an early age. Young learners need motivation and they can easily lose their concentration during long language learning process. Technology can be one of the ways to create real and enjoyable atmosphere for young language learners when it is used correctly and effectively. Technology lets young language learners gain language skills outside the classroom when they interact actively. Many researches claim that children can improve their language and cultural awareness by using technology in different social and cultural contexts and language awareness can be faster through intercultural communication. Technology gives this chance to young learners and offers them unlimited resources. The main purpose of this research is to examine the teacher candidates and young learners’ perspectives on technology use during language learning process. This research is a qualitative study which contains two structured questionnaires with 12 language teacher candidates and 10 young learners from a state primary school. In order to analyze language teacher candidates’ point of view on language awareness through technology, 6 questions were prepared for them and 6 questions were also prepared for young learners’ ideas. Two structured questionnaires were examined by 2 experts in the field of language teaching. After the research application, teacher candidates mentioned that technology based games, cartoon films, blogs and some social sites for children affect young learners and increased their language and cultural awareness and young learners explained that English lessons could be easy and enjoyable when the teachers use technology outside the classroom.