Tech Tools for Language Learners

It goes without saying that learning English has become indispensable to young students and adult professionals all over the world. I noticed it was something of an obsession when I lived in Korea, and when I visited other Asian countries. As a teacher, it was interesting to see the introduction of various technological tools to make learning easier and more convenient. It has also been interesting to see how ESL teaching in general has changed over the years thanks to online resources.

When I started teaching about 5 years ago, the academy I worked at was trying to use technology to provide improved practice tests for students preparing for TOEFL and other standardized tests. They implemented a computerized testing program that was able to analyze students’ voices when they spoke into a microphone and tell them how close they were to a native speaker. While there were some issues with the program, (some of the teachers took the test and were told they are not native speakers), it was nice to see some attempts at innovation in the learning process.

One of the most interesting things I saw introduced during my time there was the use of video chat cell phone apps to connect teachers and students. The children I taught had extremely busy schedules, so anything that would help reduce their travel time between various academies was a welcome addition. While I never used these apps myself, I did see them in action when I worked for a company that taught business professionals. The teachers at my company would often have their students not able to show up for scheduled 1 on 1 classes because of their long work hours, and the apps allowed them to have some time with their teachers while they were commuting on the subway, or whenever they had a free moment. Every little bit of practice helps, and extra convenience is always welcome. This system worked very well in Korea, where the internet infrastructure is top-notch and everyone seems to own the latest smart phone, but online ESL learning seems to be exploding in other countries too.

A casual search for ESL teaching jobs yields a large number of online job offers these days. Companies in China, Korea, Vietnam, and other places all offer Skype teaching positions now. It’s even possible to find freelance ESL teachers on numerous websites, so students can try to find a teacher that suits their needs and is within their price range.

Considering the importance of provable English skills, it’s good to see that technology gives people some extra options for practicing and improving their English. Even if a student is just trying to pass a test to get into a good school or advance their careers, there really is nothing better than being able to connect with a native English teacher. Language learners should take full advantage of these tools, improve their skills, and take a recognized test to improve their future opportunities.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bart Chlebowski is a professional writer and TEFL teacher currently based in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia. He just came back from spending over 4 years in the South Korean TEFL industry both as a teacher and content creator. He has a degree in English with a minor in political science from the University of British Columbia, and plans to go on to get his MA in Europe later this year. His interests include current events, politics, history, literature, and travel. In his free time, he enjoys hitting the beach, having some drinks with his wife and friends, or taking in a good soccer match.