Teaching of foreign languages in the face of modern technology: New possibilities and shortcomings

Abstract

The teaching of foreign languages has undergone dramatic changes since its initial stage: the method of translation. 21st century foreign language teaching goes hand in hand with the Communicative Approach or the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) method. Instead of rote learning, they are encouraged to communicate in the target language within the classroom. For the Sri Lankan foreign language student, living the language outside the classroom poses a question of feasibility, unless aided by the latest technology. These advanced technologies, especially in the field of information communication technology has opened a multitude of opportunities to language teachers and students. While the language teachers make use of the technology from lesson preparations to oral activities in class, the students equipped with the latest technologies have the capacity to interact using the language, without their actual presence in that culture. They are given the opportunity to interact with native speakers via chat rooms, friend networks; stay updated with current trends, news, popular culture, music and enhance their knowledge via online tutorials, etc. The role played by the University of Kelaniya, by providing foreign language learning opportunities is of immense significance within the whole university system. The objective of this paper is to analyse the practicality and the availability of modern technology within the university and its impact upon the pedagogy of foreign language teaching. The data were gathered using quantative and a qualitative methods, with feedback collected through questionnaires, and detailed interviews with the lecturers and sectional heads of the Departments of Modern Languages and Hindi.