Computer-assisted Language Learning in Pakistani Context During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The use of technology and contemporary methodologies has resulted in significant changes in the development and enhancement of education standards in the higher education system in the last decade. The pandemic of the Corona Virus (Covid-19) has had an impact on many sectors of life across the world, including economy, vocations, culture, schooling, etc. For the protection of students, most schools and institutions have been closed. Then, in order to keep education continuing, many schools and institutions turned to e-learning. However, in Pakistan, many lecturers/teachers and students are still unfamiliar with this teaching/learning method. This research study planned for investigating two Pakistani context universities, i.e., Mehran University of Engineering and Technology and University of Sindh's ESL on their teachers' attitude towards implementing and using CALL in their English language teaching, their present employments of CALL applications in their teaching and challenges they experience while executing CALL in their teaching to get a general picture of CALL usage in this particular setting. Data was collected through a teacher-based survey questionnaire webbed to 40 EFL teachers (n=40), and then it was analysed by SPSS. The questionnaire consisted of five-Likert items. Each item of the question consisted of sub-items and elements with the help of those elements which the researchers got an accurate picture of answers for their research questions. Findings revealed that ESL teachers of the concerned universities held positive perspectives towards utilising CALL in their teaching of English, and there were no noteworthy contrasts in teachers' perspectives that can be credited to gender or academic levels. They saw CALL as a facilitating tool in encouraging language learning, increasing their motivation level, and helping them acquire skills.