The use of the computer as an instructional aid in teaching French as a second language in Newfoundland

• Main Author: Hoskins, Valerie Cornick
• Other Authors: Memorial University of Newfoundland. Faculty of Education
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 1988
• Subjects: French language > Study and teaching > Computer-assisted instruction; Computer-assisted instruction; Newfoundland studies; University of Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses2/id/71648

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1988. Education Bibliography: leaves 110-115. The second language teacher has always had access to a multitude of instructional aids such as texts, tapes, charts, cultural modules, listening centers, and language laboratories. The latest instructional tool to be introduced in the second language classroom is the microcomputer. -- This researcher surveyed French teachers in Newfoundland to determine if and how the computer was being used as an instructional aid. The study also hoped to determine teachers' skill, knowledge and opinions of computers and their applications to language learning. The data for the study was collected by means of a questionnaire. -- Responses were tabulated from both users and nonusers of the computer. The total sample involved 211 respondents. About six percent of those responding reported using the computer as an instructional aid. Amongst those who did not use the computer, the majority of teachers expressed strong interest in learning how to use the computer instructionally. All teachers reported a need for more information and evaluation with respect to available software. In general, the respondents reported a positive, enthusiastic attitude toward computer usage in teaching French. -- Based on the information gathered from the survey on the needs of computer users and nonusers, a number of recommendations were made that might be useful to curriculum planners, and to those who are responsible for teacher preparation in this province.