Activity 8: New trends in using Technology in the language classroom

We were asked to read this article and comment on it.

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The article starts off pointing out that in the last decade computer-assisted language learning has flourished. This is obviously true and from my point of view is a development that has changed the way L2 learners and teachers face their tasks.
With the presence of blogs, chats, wikis and many other devices in our lives, the experience of learning a second language could be not only improved but also much more interesting, allowing the students to have real contact with native speakers. The text also names several programs and applications that had been proven to help students acquire vocabulary and other notions successfully when applied to their learning process.

The most controversial statement in the paper is found when it says that it doesn't really matter if a teacher uses the L1 or target language of his students when teaching them. We, as students, have been told many times that translating is not the best way to acquire an L2 and try to think and talk in English all the time, avoiding the usage of Spanish/Catalan. Nevertheless, it is true that depending on the learners' age and level using the L1 in the classroom would not be so bad. Maybe in order to avoid deep misunderstandings, as a last resort.

What I also found surprising in this article is that it mentions that CMC approaches seem to be as effective as face-to-face interaction so maybe the biggest problem when trying to apply all this technological devices to our education is in the way we do so, and not in the programs themselves. Anyways, in my opinion the author is trying to show that computer-assisted language learning/teaching for an L2 is a challenge for the system we use now but also a great tool that, used in the right way, would open students many doors.