Ipod in Education The Potential for Language Acquisition

Ipod in Education The Potential for Language Acquisition

1. the iPod, used with the iTunes and iLife software

   • can serve as a powerful tool for teaching and acquiring languages
   • The iPod makes it possible to deliver large quantities of comprehensible language to students in an efficient and convenient manner
   • This unique feature of the iPod and iTunes eliminates the need to rely on word-for-word or concurrent translation for each segment of input, a popular approach in many audio-only self-study courses
   • The iPod is, above all else, a portable media player designed to deliver audio and video content to users
   • Students can also use the iPod to interview native speakers for use with another successful teaching strategy,“narrow listening.”
     • Since the recordings are all on the same topic, the vocabulary is naturally recycled, giving students the chance to hear the words repeated several times in a familiar context

2. Current technology offers new opportunities to increase the effectiveness of language teaching

   • Discuss ways in which the iPod, iTunes, and iLife software can be best used to support language teaching
   • the teacher makes the language comprehensible to students
   • Methods of making language comprehensible:
     • • Slowing the rate of speech, Providing contextual support for language, Using vocabulary appropriate to the student’s level , Building on the student’s existing background knowledge, Fostering a comfortable environment , Encouraging identification with people who speak the target language and Creating a topic-driven rather than a grammar-based syllabus
       • The newer generation of iPod players and current iTunes software support the viewing of video. This video, properly chosen, can provide an additional rich source of motivating input to students
       • Educators wishing to familiarize themselves more with second language acquisition and the use of iPod and iTunes in language teaching may wish to consult the following: • For an overview of language acquisition theory and current research

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