Building Communities through Language Learning

By Khaled A. Islaih

Technology is changing the way we live and learn. Over the last few years, technology has induced many drastic changes in family, workplace and community life. For example, the number of people hired, and even married, through electronic channels rose significantly over the last few years. In our daily life, checking e-mail has become an important habit for most of us. In education, computer assisted learning is now considered as a fundamental requirement for better learning outcomes. Unlike traditional instruction, technology facilitates collective learning, breaks cognitive barriers between learners and educators and opens new learning pathways. It allows educators and learners to explore new learning pathways.

In language training sites for immigrants, computer workstations are made available to facilitate language learning among newcomer groups to Canada. Effective use of computers enriches the learning environment in these sites for both language learners and educators. Immigrant learners will learn English and other skills such as computer skills to foster their access to information and continuous learning. Educators will build creativity and work collectively to bridge literacy and skill gaps within immigrant groups.

Computers and the Internet provide a variety of learning tools to facilitate the learning needs of immigrant communities. In introductory language courses, computers may be used to help immigrants learn pronunciation, spelling, use of dictionary and keyboarding. In contrast, intermediate learners can use computers to develop their reading, speaking, writing and listening skills. Advanced learners may use computers and the Internet to enhance communication, build professional networks and to develop job-search strategies.

Electronic learning tools enable learners to overcome situational barriers and maintain connections with educators and the learning community while they handle emergency situations. Unexpected situations interrupt language learning among immigrant learners, often they don’t attend classes regularly because of sickness, weather conditions, official appointments and travel. The implementation of new learning strategies may limit such learning interruptions and foster a sense of belonging among learners, educators and the larger community.

Continued advancements in information technology provide new learning content and tools for language learners. Internet search engines (such as Google and Yahoo) enable our search for learning material. The Internet has plenty of websites with ESL content that meet a wide range of learning needs. For example, ESL websites have various types of tips, activities and exercises to facilitate language acquisition. Learners with e-mail accounts can subscribe to certain websites and receive newsletters regularly to enhance their learning.

Online dictionaries help learners improve their vocabulary, pronunciation and reduce their accent. Unlike print dictionaries, online dictionaries have word pronunciation and are more efficient.

Participation in online groups enables learners and educators to interact and share ideas with ESL learners and educators from various corners of the globe. Furthermore, individual educators may build an online group for their learners to share resources and ideas and enhance classroom attendance and a work ethic among newcomers. It is recommended that language learners read online newspapers to improve their reading skills and to learn about developments in their communities and surroundings.

Advanced learners may use computers and the Internet to enhance communication skills and to engage in career management. Advanced learners may learn to search the Internet and to conduct presentations in front of their classmates. This activity will build learners’ confidence in public speaking and in providing constructive feedback to their colleagues. In general, such activities enhance learner’s workplace literacy among immigrants. Moreover, learners may subscribe to newsletters to further their skills and keep informed about professional developments in their fields. Similarly, involvement in online groups could be used for language learning and professional development purposes among advanced learners.

Recently, Web-based social networking tools have become an important career development technique. Advanced learners may launch blogs and Facebook profiles to promote their knowledge and skills to potential employers and develop their networking strategies. In my experience as a newcomer to Canada, I overcame many settlement barriers, including lack of Canadian experience, through the Internet. Over the last two years, I have used many electronic tools to ease my career transition into a newcomer settlement and language learning sector. More precisely, the Internet facilitated my networking efforts. Subscription to specific newsletters provided suggestions to volunteer my time to write articles and to conduct presentations at settlement and career development forums.

In my opinion, language learning programs such as LINC and ESL present golden opportunities to turn immigrants in our communities into engaged citizens and productive workers. In fact, computer-assisted language learning could be used to build information literacy among immigrant language learners. Information literacy is critical for success in the 21st century. According to Wikipedia, the Internet encyclopedia, information literacy refers to personal capacity to recognize when information is needed and the ability to locate, evaluate and use it effectively in creating new growth opportunities. Technology education provides motivated learners with the ability to access, manipulate, use and present information. In the long run, blending language learning with information technology will turn language learners into intercultural communicators, multilingual speakers and informed Canadian citizens.

Khaled Islaih is employed as a program manager for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada at Muslim Community Services (MCS). He can be reached by e-mail:khaled.islaih@muslimcommunity.org.