Bakhytzhan Torekeyev, Raushan Torekeyeva, Dinara Raiymbekova

Taraz State Pedagogical Institute, Kazakhstan

LEARNING FOREIGN LANGUAGES BY USING E-LEARNING PLATFORMS

ABSTRACT

The article points out the learning foreign languages by using e-learning platforms.Computer assisted language learning is often considered a teaching method. Nowadays, teachers look for new ways to better develop students communication competencies. E-learning platforms represent the most important tools in language learning. Using the Internet in education, along with other additional tools, promotes access to real-time information exchange and international cooperation and offer new opportunities for learning - teaching. Furthermore, the article gives some examples of e-learning platforms and also emphasizes the advantages of using them. E-learning is addressed to all those who want to learn, regardless of age or training. It is thus an option of lifelong learning in the information society. Learning methods based on e-learning manage to adapt the educational process to the real needs of students and offer access to relevant and updated information. The main benefits of e-learning platforms are considered to be: individual skill development and team work, development of analysis skills and synthesis of information and the ability to put into practice the theoretical knowledge learned in school. I tend to believe that e-learning represents a new revolution in education and the current role of the teacher becomes obsolete.

Keywords: e-learning, lifelong learning, digitalization, education.

I. Introduction

Computer assisted language learning is often regarded as a method of teaching. Learning a language is a cognitive process, therefore the work of the student/learner is the result of processing the information received in a given language. What is learned is the result of this process and not just simple explanations, rules or questions presented by the teacher on the computer. One of the biggest concerns when operating with foreign language learning methods on computer or distance learning has always been the social aspect. Computer assisted learning provides students and teachers of foreign languages a range of activities that, when they are carefully planned as an integral part of teaching process, will help the student to learn the language. With a focus on language, communication and culture in compliance with the national standards for modern language learning, teachers are constantly looking for better ways of accessing authentic materials and providing experiences that will develop better communication skills of students in foreign languages. Technology is probably the best way to create an environment conducive to learning. It can support teachers in making language learning faster, easier, more attractive and interesting. Computers are part of our culture, our everyday life (at home or at work). Although united in a planetary network, there is a concern about the risk of social isolation for those who spend long hours at the computer. And yet, "Internet should be seen as any other means of communication"[1]. When we speak of new information technologies we refer to the Internet, to various e-learning programs created or various possibilities that computer gives us and which we can use as a means of rendering information.

E-LEARNING PLATFORMS FOR LEARNING FOREIGN LANGUAGES

The usage of the Internet in education, along with other additional tools, promotes access to real-time information exchange and international cooperation and offer new opportunities for learning - teaching. In this framework, various categories of people take part (students, teachers, IT specialists), each with a well defined role. The Internet applications could be classified into several types of teaching – learning activities:

a) Interpersonal communication, performed using email and direct communication (chat). "It brings together those pedagogical applications that favor interpersonal exchanges among young people and lead them to know and observe the cultural, political, linguistic similarities and differences from the most remote areas". Meetings with personalities can be organized or virtual classrooms can be formed, where students will be able to check their communication skills in a foreign language. Teachers will teach young people friendly and official correspondence techniques specific to the foreign language studied, which would improve written expression, the use of relevant and accurate information, and the structuring of ideas.

b) Collection of authentic texts in foreign languages. Depending on the specific topic of the lesson, the teacher will clearly define a subject to attract the interest of students and expose several types of documents (PDF, newspaper articles, essays, and so on). Students (individual or group) would cover "document collection, analysis and interpretation of collected documents, request the opinion of specialist teachers in the field"[2], and the drafting of a written work (abstract, summary, comments, etc.) in the foreign language.

c) Documentary research, validation and use of language resources in order to achieve a bibliography on a given topic, respecting the rules of quoting electronic documents.

d) Publication of documents in foreign languages on the Internet involves not only a good knowledge of computer, of programs specific to such an activity, but also a good knowledge of a foreign language. It may consider drafting a personal page where the student could introduce himself, describe the intellectual and professional achievements, areas of interest, projects. The teacher's role is to teach the student techniques for structuring, writing and personal presentation in the foreign language. Students will be able to improve their knowledge of written expression in the foreign language (respecting the journalistic style specific to specialized reviews, convincing presentation of information) by writing an article.

e) Self-training by connecting to sites specialized in virtual textbooks or tests on language knowledge. Some of the advantages of using new technologies for training are "novelty (quality materials, authentic and new), flexibility, autonomy of students (they can organize their own learning process), differentiated approach, facilitating a type of contextual learning".[3] Complexity is reported as a positive aspect. In the multimedia programs of foreign language there are integrated images, videos, graphics, animations, audio recordings, that normally appear isolated within other means of learning. Combining audio-visual elements with texts facilitates rapid transition from one exercise to another without having to change the learning methods. Specific interaction is also common in these learning methods. Owing to colors, animation, special effects, multimedia programs are attractive and motivating. Also visuals, film fragments, animated characters, are attractive in multimedia programs and web pages. Technology is increasingly used in learning foreign languages either as a supplement to training or as the only means of learning. Although access to technology can present difficulties in accessing adult education programs, they can be overcome. Online platforms have progressed considerably in recent years. The policy of e-learning platforms is to provide both free classes and paid courses. Transmission of information, learning in an open, professional system, constantly supported by special pedagogical methods and techniques become a commodity that can be bought.

II. .EXAMPLES OF E-LEARNING PLATFORMS

"Using computerized solutions for education is beneficial and generate positive effects on the whole society".[4] E-learning solutions cover the needs of the entire educational system by providing useful tools for all levels - from decision factors in ministries, to students, teachers, parents and even the general public. Learning methods based on e-learning fail to adapt to the real needs of the educational process and give students access to relevant and updated information. The main benefits of e-learning training are considered by specialists to be: individual and teamwork skill’ development, development of analysis and synthesis of information skills, and the ability to put into practice the theoretical knowledge learned in school. Experts believe that e-learning fully meet market demands and modern society and help create more economic and social opportunities, locally and globally. Global e-learning plays an increasingly important role in education and the effects of introducing new technologies in schools bring major effects, helping to develop the whole society. "E-learning has become a very effective and indispensable tool in the educational process. Its mission is teaching, and also helping the teacher deliver information in a more complete and attractive way for students ". [5] Examples of e-learning platforms:

• http://www.busuu.com/enc The www.busuu.com is one of the largest language learning community that offers courses and lessons for 12 foreign languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Turkish, Arabic, Chinese). The platform has 25 million users worldwide and you can also practice the language skills with other members of the worldwide community, “get access to grammar guides provided by leading mobile publishers and download apps to learn languages on the go”.[6] You can join the site for free. E.g. Business English course. You can learn all the words and expressions you need to succeed in your business environment. The business material covers important skills such as: telephoning, emailing, meeting, presenting, applying for a job, marketing. You have access to specific vocabulary (more than 600 vocabulary and key phrases with pictures and sounds), business dialogues pronounced by native speakers, voice recording to test your pronunciation skills, busuutalk (video-chat with role-plays to test the business skills with the community), review and printable learning material. Innovation of this site is first and foremost its motivational element. Each language studied is represented by a tree; as you advance in the study of the language, the tree grows; you can receive your animated gifts for your "language garden”.

• http://www.palabea.com/ Palabea – “ the speaking world is the first marketplace that allows users to learn languages and share knowledge while speaking via video chat about a topic they are really interested in”.[7] The languages used are: English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic. The platform has a lot of facilities both for students and teachers. You can speak with native speakers, you can also teach languages to other people, you can modernize your skills and knowledge, all this via interactive video chat. The membership is free, you create a profile then chat. How to start: go to the option ‘Add New Palabea’; select your native language and the one you want to learn; write a title, text and add a picture (also video) to describe the topic you are interested in; create a palabea. How to create a palabea: find an interesting topic and a smart title; make an attractive description; upload an eye-catching picture; complete it with an awesome video.

• http://languagelab.ro/

The platform offers English language courses in a virtual city with native teachers from Great Britain or USA and real people worldwide. It is easy to use, it can reduce the time from registration until the actual start of the course at about 5 minutes. You just need a computer connected to the internet, headphones and a microphone so you can start to practice your English. “The teachers are native speakers offering courses which give you the listening experience and practice with authentic English”.[8] They are certified to teach English and have experience in teaching in the offline and online system. Participants from over 54 countries access the scheduled courses ‘around the clock’ in this virtual environment and practice their English in a variety of environments and situations. LanguageLab courses are at a high level of interactivity as you will not find in traditional schools. Lessons are based 90% on interaction, and learning occurs through conversation in English in real contexts with real people. You choose the courses according to your goals: to travel, to establish relationships, for business, to obtain certifications. The types of courses are the following:

• General English Course General English course is designed to cover a wide variety of situations and topics. Lessons may involve practicing conversation in shops, airport, hotel, museum, but also dramatic play, practice public speaking, speaking about music, art and film. You'll improve the way you speak, listen and read, and how to write, covering a wide range of topics. You will become more confident every day and you will communicate more effectively, being prepared for different situations, but also for improvisation. Once you have purchased one of the packages of General English, you will be transferred to an English language test which takes about 15 minutes and will determine your level of knowledge in English; based on this test you will receive suggestions concerning the courses to attend.

• Training Program for IELTS. IELTS preparation courses are focused on practicing skills necessary to obtain this certification (e.g, reading and writing for IELTS). Together with teachers, you focus on the things that you want to improve and work at the pace you choose. You have a team of experienced teachers and examiners who speak English natively and prepare yourself to get the best results in IELTS certification. The advantages of this platform are:

1. flexible training schedule, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week;

2. lessons are conducted by qualified teachers, native English speakers who have additional training to support courses in the online environment;

3. you can socialize, learn and practice with other people who learn English worldwide;

4. you must not go to the classroom, somewhere in the city, you can do these lessons from home or any place where there is silence and you can concentrate;

5. assessments are made in compliance with the official standard - Common European Framework of Reference for Languages - one of the most widely used and recognized scale for measuring the level of proficiency in English today.

• http://www.english-online.org.uk/ English for everybody site offers, “free of charge to the general public, structured courses depending on the level of knowledge”[14]: young learners, beginners, elementary, intermediate, advanced. Also, it offers the following courses:

1. multimedia English courses (videos, dialogues)

2. English language courses (grammar, vocabulary, dialogues)

3. English for special purposes (business English courses in investment, marketing, the office, computer)

4. reading practice (different materials in English)

5. English language games (games online or download them for learning English vocabulary and grammar)

III. .CONCLUSIONS

Online platforms continue to provide more and more useful applications, at affordable prices and tools for language learning. Teachers who use these technologies have to continue to provide opportunities for learning and for promotion and development of foreign languages. However, it is recognized that further research, on the impact of technology use, is needed, given the rapid pace of innovations in software and Internet access; research studies on long-term are required in order to understand more the role and impact of technology use in adults English learning. Therefore, e-learning is addressed to all those who want to learn, regardless of age or training. E-learning is thus an option of lifelong learning in the information society. I tend to believe that e- learning means a new revolution in education; the current role of the teacher - to convey knowledge - becomes obsolete. The traditional teachers "could become future tutors that provide virtual classroom management". The tutor plans the group activity in the virtual classroom, raise issues in discussion forums, provide additional resources for understanding, comment on homework, indicating where each class member must insist. Of course, the tutor’s new activity is remunerated according to performance. Performance level is given by the audience of the class, because this time students are free to enroll in a course or another, and are free to leave the course if it is ineffective. In conclusion "computers will never replace teachers, but teachers who use computers will replace those who do not use them".

References

[1] Brut, M., (2006). Instrumente pentru e-learning: ghidul informatic al profesorului modern, Polirom, Iai. p. 77

[2] Carliner, S., (2004). An Overview of Online Learning (2nd edition). Amherst, MA: HRD Press. p. 67.

[3] Cristea, V., Iosif, G., Marhan, A., Niculescu, C, Truan-Matu, Udrea, O., 2005. Sisteme inteligente de instruire pe Web, Editura Politehnica Press, Bucureti. p. 123.