Using ICT in foreign language teaching – the case of secondary schools in Elbasan, Albania

Abstract

This article reflects the situation of the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in the teaching of foreign languages in secondary schools in the city of Elbasan in Albania. We are specifically focused on learning more on how ICT is used and integrated in the teaching / learning of the French language in the secondary schools of the city of Elbasan. We think that the younger generation needs new tools to be more attractive, more motivated and more coherent. For this reason we have undertaken this study in the secondary schools in the city of Elbasan. The paper is focused on three main issues related to the following questions: To what extend is ICT used and integrated in the teaching/learning of foreign languages in secondary schools in the city of Elbasan, Albania? Does its usage facilitate the teaching/learning of the foreign languages?; Do the teachers have the proper qualification and knowledge to use ICT in their teaching practices?; We have carried out several questionnaires and interviews with the main stakeholders and we have also carried out experiments that demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of using ICT in the teaching/learning of foreign languages, in our case of French as a foreign language in the secondary schools. We will also reflect the factors that promote or inhibit the integration and use of ICT in teaching and all the problems that teachers and students encounter while using ICT. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n19p373