Transforming ESL Learning Through Technology Integration

TRANSFORMING

ESL LEARNING

THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

INTEGRATION

Samir Sefain, Ed.D.

Copyright © 2024 Samir Sefain, Ed.D.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 978-1-6657-6767-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-6768-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024922597

Archway Publishing rev. date: 01/07/2025

Contents

Introduction

Significance of Technology Integration

Theoretical Framework

Teaching Pronunciation with Technology

Technology for Teaching Grammar

AI for Teaching Listening

AI for Teaching Speaking

AI for Reading

Creating rubrics

AI for Writing Improvements

Plagiarism

AI for assessment

AI for Grading

Electronic Folders

AI for Lesson Preparation

Gamification

AI for creating storytelling

References

Introduction

The education landscape has undergone a significant transformation with the advent of technology. As classrooms evolve and digital tools become more prevalent, educators are discovering innovative ways to improve learning experiences and outcomes for ESL students. Educators’ role in utilizing modern technology to make content interesting and approachable—that is, in inspiring students to create, communicate, and collaborate in previously unthinkable ways—is far more significant. This book delves into the myriad of ways technology is revolutionizing ESL education, providing teachers with new methodologies, resources, and approaches to effectively teach and engage their students.

However, integrating technology into teaching and learning requires checking some prerequisites not only on the infrastructure of the schools but also on the teachers’ beliefs, training, awareness, efficiency in using technology, and self-efficacy. Limited access to technology, insufficient resources, and a lack of effective teacher training are among the obstacles that hinder technology integration. Meanwhile, learners’ perceptions of using technology and their awareness of the importance of integrating technology into learning are imperative. School awareness of incorporating technology into the curricula, standards they follow, and the school’s atmosphere should be taken into consideration.

SIGNIFICANCE OF TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

All studies on integrating technology underscore the multifaceted advantages of incorporating technology in teaching, ranging from improved pedagogy to improved student outcomes. The transformational qualities of technology have a major influence on increasing intercultural engagement, improving academic performance, and lowering anxiety (Liu et al., 2018). Abucayon et al. (2023) found a beneficial influence on student engagement and motivation, as it not only makes the learning process more interesting and dynamic but also allows students to practice at any time and from any location. With features like immediate feedback, personalized learning, and immersive experiences, technology has transformed the way learners approach language acquisition (Alkhaldi, 2023).

Technology offers authentic learning experiences, bridging the gap between native and non-native speakers and allowing students to emulate the target culture. This exposure improves the educational environment, student engagement, motivation, learning autonomy, creativity, group work, and personalized learning (Lee & Martin, 2020). According to Regan et al. (2019), computer-assisted language learning (CALL) involves the use of technology to provide learners with an authentic learning experience that models the target culture, fostering engagement, motivation, personalized learning, and group work. Furthermore, the seamless integration of instructional technology promotes the development of digital literacy abilities, preparing students to meet the expectations of the twenty-first-century workforce (Falloon, 2020). The utilization of interactive multimedia tools improves content delivery while also accommodating different learning styles (Han, 2022).

By integrating technology, teachers can build dynamic, interactive, conducive, and personalized learning environments that meet the diverse needs of ESL learners, making language acquisition more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. Schmid et al. (2022) found that personalized learning leads to deeper understanding and improves performance. Additionally, technology enables teachers to effectively address multi-level classes by tailoring their teaching strategies to each student’s preferences and individual learning styles, resulting in better learning outcomes (Chen & Zhang, 2022). According to a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) for using technology, there are many opportunities as technology improves learners’ engagement and motivation (Mariappan et al., 2022). From interactive listening activities to virtual reality for immersive language practice, technology offers a wide range of tools and resources to support language learners in their journey toward proficiency. The range of language learning support technology offers is extensive, from reading passages with audio to expanding vocabulary with correct pronunciation to tools for checking learners’ writing and suggesting formal writing alternatives.

Many theories support the integration of technology in