CALL Program 1

Title :   Issue in English

Author :   Henry Kaufmann & Virginia Westwood

Produced by :   Protea Textware, Melbourne

Year :   1996

 

            At the first time we run this program, at the first page we are presented with some issues like animal rights, discrimination, growing old, public transport, smoking, the environment, gambling and euthanasia. These issues will become the topics that can be chosen by the students according to their interest on certain topics.

            Once we choose a topic, we may see some language components to be learned, such as getting started (cloze, spelling, dictation), listening, vocabulary, grammar, speaking, and writing. This program also provides four different levels of difficulty to give chance for students with different language skill level.

            In each language components, we may have some topics and activities as listed in the following table:

Language Skill	Topic/ Components	Level
		1	2	3	4
Grammar	·  Present tense, past tense, personal pronoun ·  Articles, conjunction, reflexive pronoun, present perfect tense, conditional if + will ·  Conjunction, past perfect, reported speech ·  Passive verb form, question tag, phrasal verbs	Ö	Ö	Ö	Ö
Speaking	Pronunciation: record &compare words and sentences	Ö	Ö	Ö	Ö
Writing	·  Punctuation: CAPS, .!?” ·  Writing answer to questions ·  Writing opinions ·  Writing summary ·  Listening the main point of talks	Ö Ö Ö	Ö Ö Ö	Ö Ö Ö Ö	Ö Ö Ö Ö Ö
Listening	·  Match spoken &written word ·  Match h picture and sentence	Ö Ö	Ö Ö
vocabulary	· Match picture and word opposite · Word with same meaning · Word with opposite meaning · Word definitions · Words with the same meaning	Ö	Ö	Ö Ö Ö	Ö Ö Ö

 

            This CD program is good in helping the students learn English since it covers almost all the language sill and components. Moreover, it is easy to operate, there is drag and drop system so that even young learner can operate this program without any difficulties. Both audio and visual are presented in attractive way, yet its grey background is less colorful. Another weakness is that this program provides limited assessment and feed back that enables students know their improvement.

 

CALL Program 2:  Talk Now (Learn English)

           

Talk now from Eurotalk interactive is likely designed to assist students in learning basic speaking skill components such as vocabulary, spelling and pronunciation. Beginner learner will be the main target of this program since it provides basic vocabularies at some topics. Before using this program student may record their name to see their score (students supposed to reach 1800 at most), and when they reach certain points, they may print their own certificate. It is of course very motivating students in learning more and more.

            The teaching of vocabularies and speaking trough this program are covered in some topics or categories such as shopping, countries, first words, food, colors, phrases, body, numbers and time. The activities include word practice, speaking practice, easy games and hard games. This program also enables us to print pictures dictionary at the topics discussed.

            During each activity, students are provided with pictures, animation and audio that are very attractive. At the games section (matching pictures with words, matching words and spelling, etc.), it is so encouraging us by saying “Good”, “Yes”, and “Well done” when we answer correctly, and say ”No” to help us find the right answer.

           

CALL Program 3: Talk More (Learn British English / Speak English)

           

This CALL program emphasize on the speaking skill in daily life such as how to express ideas or to respond. It drills the learner to hear and practice to say words, phrases and sentences in British English. Learners are supposed to get score of 1800 points and they may put their name in the students’ record to know their improvement.

            This program built around topics including shopping, alphabet, greeting, at the restaurant, getting around, at the hotel, on the phone, emergencies, leisure and business. It seems to be appropriate for elementary to intermediate students.

            Its colorful display and vivid picture will make the lesson enjoyable that students will fully willing do the activities. The operation manual also easy to follow and the important thing is that it provide quiz for assessment.

Comparing the three programs

CD Program	Focus	Level	Interactive ness	Flexibility	Attractiveness	Strengths	Weaknesses
Issue in English	Grammar Speaking Writing Listening Vocab	Beginner intermediate	Less interactive, Limited feedback	Flexible with icons to ease the operation/navigation	Less colorful, less animation,	Covers almost all the language skill and provide different level activities	Less attractive, less interactive, limited feedback and assessment
Talk now (learn English)	Speaking Vocab Spelling Pronunctn	Beginner	Interactive, sufficient feedback, students points records	Flexible with icons to ease the operation/navigation	Attractive, colorful display, pictures, animation, audio	contextual learning by providing topics	The activities restricted to one level
Talk more	Speaking Vocab	Beginner	Interactive, sufficient feedback, students points records	Flexible with icons to ease the operation/navigation	Attractive, colorful display, pictures, animation, audio	contextual learning by providing topics	The activities restricted to one level