THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN LEARNING AND TEACHING ENGLISH: A STUDY WITH REFERENCE TO THE EXISTING CURRICULUM AND EVALUATION SCHEME INTHE POLYTECHNICS IN ASSAM

Abstract

The status of English as a universal language is being reinforced gradually with the dawn of modern communication systems. Technical education, one of the most significant elements of the human resource advancement, stresses the building of communicative competence in the current globalized settings. The latest drift in engineering studies can be evaluated to a great extent on the basis of the learners’ good command in English as most of the latest science and engineering theories are written in English. Moreover, in the Indian context, success in recruitments is mainly based on the demonstration of communication skills along with subject knowledge. Progresses in technology have made it easier for teachers and learners of English to access a wide range of resources as language learning materials. Communication technologies have occupied a central role amongst the range of technologies which are used for language teaching. In this regard, mobile technology has played a major role and widespread uses of devices such as smart phone, laptops and tablets turn out to be very attractive tools for language learning. This paper uses analytical methodology to research on the use of Information and Communication Technologies in learning and teaching English in the polytechnics in Assam in accordance to the existing curriculum and evaluation scheme.The paper also highlights the difficulties faced by teachers and learners in the process and makes an attempt to provide certain recommendations to meet those challenges.