Pre-service EFL teachers’ readiness in computer-assisted language learning and teaching

ABSTRACT

Digital technology plays a crucial role in modern second/foreign language education. Enormous changes in technology and the growing emphasis on 21st century skills raise a concern about English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ competencies in computer-assisted language learning (CALL) more than ever. In response to the mounting concern, this study investigates pre-service EFL teachers’ readiness in the use of CALL in the Hong Kong context. It explores the experiences and self-efficacy of participants with respect to the evaluation of the current English teacher education curriculum for CALL at a university in Hong Kong and factors affecting the participants’ acceptance and willingness to use CALL. In-depth interviews were conducted with six pre-service EFL teachers to reveal the reality of the teachers’ attitudes, perceptions and experiences regarding the use of technology. Findings provide insights into the significance of language teacher education in CALL and ways for fostering pre-service EFL teachers’ knowledge and skills in the implementation of CALL. Practical implications are made for effective teacher training for CALL in EFL contexts.

KEYWORDS:

• Computer-assisted language learning
• language teacher education
• pre-service teacher readiness
• teaching English as a foreign language
• technology integration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Chinese University of Hong Kong [Direct Grant (#4058044)].

Notes on contributors

Moonyoung Park

Moonyoung Park, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the Faculty of Education at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR. His research has focused on language teacher education, aviation English assessment, computer-assisted language learning (esp. virtual/mobile learning), and language test development and validation. He is the Vice President of the Asia-Pacific Association for Computer-Assisted Language Learning (APACALL).

Jeong-Bae Son

Jeong-Bae Son, Ph.D., is a teacher educator and researcher in Applied Linguistics & TESOL at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. His areas of specialization are computer-assisted language learning (CALL) and language teacher education. He has published extensively in the field of CALL and conducted seminars and workshops around the world. He is the President of the Asia-Pacific Association for Computer-Assisted Language Learning (APACALL), Director of Technology-Enhanced Language Learning Research Network (TELLRN) and Editor of the APACALL Book Series. He can be reached through his website at <drjbson.com>.