Blog Task I: Why using the new media in foreign language education?

Nowadays, the new media like blackberries, PCs, notebooks and mobile phones play an important role in the teenagers’ lives and almost no job is done without a computer which facilitates almost everything. It is thus obvious that we as future language teachers have to include the media in our lessons. In what follows, you can find good reasons for using it in the classroom:

First of all, it is clear that today’s students are more interested in computers than in books. Therefore, it is very easy to catch their attention and interest by using the new media in class. Nevertheless, we have to be aware of the fact that students tend to ignore the importance of books. So both things have to be used in class.

Moreover, the Internet and New Media provide a great variety of information and interesting extras such as links, quizzes, songs, platforms for communication, movies etc. but it should not be forgotten that an overlfow of information cannot be avoided easily. This overflow is not helpful for students as they might lose orientation and have difficulties in finding the most important things.

Furthermore, we have to be aware of the fact that students have to get used to work with the new media in order to get a job later on. In the beginning, the use of new media has to be learned but this is not to hard for most of them . They should be taught that there is always a danger of dependence on the Internet but it is great that they can repeat tasks in the Internet  if they still have problems after the first try.

In addition to that, consulting the Internet is very time-saving which is essential during the 21^st century. On the contrary, technical problems might arise and it is surely difficult to control 30 pupils in a class because of never being sure if everyone really does the tasks instead of something else like chatting. This is why it is useful to be able to block the pupils’computers from time to time I think. So you can be sure that they are really listening to you!

Another important fact to mention is that the teachers can give the students a chance of contacting other pupils in foreign countries via email which can be very helpful because of new vocabulary they learn without really being aware of  it. Emailing makes fun and is thus a very student-centered method of learning before a student-exchange for example. Students become friends and help each other with the new language.

The most important point in my opinion is that you can motivate each learner-type with a computer, CDS or movies because of different programs that encourage audio-learner-types but also visual learners. The diversity of methods is very big.The use of new media is thus very student-centered and indispensable.