Using Computer-assisted Language Learning in Classrooms: What Does Research Say about Teachers' Beliefs and Practices?

Abstract

The last decades have witnessed the introduction of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) into the field of education. This introduction has brought in major changes in the traditional view of language teaching and learning. Accordingly, the implementation of technology through Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and its success has become of particular interest. However, the success of CALL implementation does not merely depend only on economic investments. In fact, teachers play a major role in using technology successfully in classrooms (Galvis, 2012). Thus, it is important to investigate teachers' beliefs about CALL implementation and see whether they practically practice their beliefs in classrooms. Of equal importance is to investigate and question why some teachers do not practice their beliefs. This paper attempts to shed light on teachers' beliefs and practices of CALL implementation in classrooms. First, teachers' beliefs are defined and their importance and formation process are presented. Then, teachers' beliefs about CALL implementation in language classrooms are discussed along with the factors that affect them. A discussion of whether teachers' beliefs about technology entail their actual practice is then provided. Finally, barriers hindering teaches' practices of technology in language classrooms are explained.