MAAL6031 Technology in Language Teaching and Learning
COURSE TEACHER:
Dr. Lillian Wong
Email: lillianwong@hku.hk
Overview
This course prepares language teachers to use technology effectively, critically and ethically in their professional practice. It explores key concepts, practices and debates in current and emerging uses of technology in language teaching and learning, including Computer-Assisted Language Learning, network-based teaching and learning, digital literacies, online interaction, artificial intelligence, and virtual learning environments.
The course examines how technological tools, resources, materials and activities can be selected, adapted and evaluated to enhance language teaching and learning. It considers technology use from pedagogical, socio-cultural and professional perspectives, with particular attention to learner needs, teacher roles, digital equity, accessibility, authenticity, autonomy, identity and assessment.
No prior experience in teaching with technology is required. Students will be encouraged to connect course concepts with their own teaching or learning contexts and to develop a practical plan for implementing technology in a language education setting.
Aims
The course aims to help teachers carry out their work in an informed, critical and reflective way, with an awareness of the technological, pedagogical, social and linguistic implications of using technology in language education.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Explain key concepts, developments and issues in current and emerging uses of technology in language teaching and learning.
- Identify, compare and evaluate the affordances and limitations of technological tools, resources, materials and activities for language learning.
- Discuss the use of technology in language education from pedagogical, socio-cultural, ethical and professional perspectives.
- Reflect critically on teacher professional development, learner training and changing teacher roles in technology-enhanced language education.
- Analyse a specific language teaching context and design a feasible, pedagogically justified plan for implementing technology to enhance teaching and learning.
Schedule
| Session | Topic |
| 1 | Key concepts and issues in technology in language teaching and learning |
| 2 | CALL technologies, resources, materials and activities for language learning |
| 3 | Digital literacies and virtual learning environments |
| 4 | Digital knowledge and online communities |
| 5 | Technology education policy and standards, assessment, professional development and learner training |
| 6 | The future of technology in language teaching and learning |
Assessment
Students will complete one written assignment of 2,500 words on a topic negotiated with the course teacher. The assignment should focus on the planning for and implementation of technology in a specific language teaching context. Students are expected to support their discussion with relevant literature from the course readings and other relevant academic sources. Details of the assignment will be provided when the course begins.
References
The following list of course readings is selective. Additional readings may be distributed during the course. Students are expected to engage with the pre-course readings before the course begins and to draw on relevant readings in their assignment.
Pre-course readings
Students should complete the listed pre-course readings before the course begins. These readings provide a foundation for understanding current and emerging developments in technology-enhanced language teaching and learning, including artificial intelligence, digital trends, online interaction and teacher professional development. Students should be prepared to discuss how the readings relate to their own teaching, learning or professional contexts.
Godwin-Jones, R. (2021). Evolving technologies for language learning. Language Learning & Technology, 25(3), 6–26. http://hdl.handle.net/10125/73443
Hockly, N. (2023). Artificial Intelligence in English Language Teaching: The Good, the bad and the ugly. RELC Journal, 54(2), 445-451. https://doi.org/10.1177/00336882231168504
Hockly, N., & Dudeney, G. (2018). Current and future digital trends in ELT. RELC Journal, 49(2), 164-178. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0033688218777318
Moorhouse, B.L., Walsh, S., Li, Y., & Wong, L.L.C. (2022). Assisting and mediating interaction during synchronous online language lessons: Teachers’ professional practices. TESOL Quarterly, 56(3), 934-960. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/tesq.3144
Wong, L.L.C. (2013). Technological innovation and teacher change: IT in teacher professional development. In Hyland, K. & Wong, L.L.C. (eds.) Innovation and change in English language education (pp. 248–262). Routledge.
Core And Additional References
Chapelle, C.A., & Sauro, S. (Eds.). (2017). The handbook of technology and second language teaching and learning. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.
Edmett, A., Ichaporia, N., Crompton, H., & Crichton, R. (2023). Artificial intelligence and English language teaching: Preparing for the future. British Council. https://doi.org/10.57884/78EA-3C69
Farr, F., & Murray, L. (Eds.). (2016). The Routledge handbook of language learning and technology. Routledge.
Hockly, N. (2022). 50 Essentials for using learning technologies. Cambridge University Press.
Li, L. (2017). New technologies and language learning. Macmillan Palgrave.
Mariusz, K., & Peterson, M. (Eds.). (2020). New technological applications for foreign and second language learning and teaching. PA: Information Science Reference.
Pegrum, M., & Lan, Y.-J. (2023). Extended reality (XR) in language learning: Developments and directions. [Special issue], Language Learning & Technology, 27(3).
Pegrum M., Hockly, N., & Dudeney, G. (2022). Digital literacies (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Reinhardt, J. & Oskoz, A. (2021). 25 years of emerging technology in CALL [Special issue], Language Learning & Technology, 25(3).
Rodney, H. J., & Hafner, C. A. (2021). Understanding digital literacies: A practical introduction. Routledge.
Stockwell, G., & Wang, Y. (Eds.). (2024). The Cambridge handbook of technology in language teaching and learning. Cambridge University Press.
Warschauer, M, & Xu, Y. (2024). Generative AI for language learning: Entering a new era. [Special issue], Language Learning & Technology, 28(2).
Wong, L.L.C. (2019). Implementing disciplinary data-driven learning for postgraduate thesis writing. In K. Hyland & L.L.C. Wong (Eds.), Specialised English: New directions in ESP and EAP research and practice (pp.197-215). Routledge.
Zou, B., & Thomas, M. (Eds.). (2018). Handbook of research on integrating technology into contemporary language learning and teaching. PA: Information Science Reference.