However, other people’s assertion that technology has no real place in such a base skill as speaking a language is a tough one to justify.  Truth is, people have been using technology in conjunction with their preferred language materials ever since consumer electronics came into our homes.  From filming the teacher with your camcorder while he waxes instructions in front of class to recording vocabulary on tape for portable listening on a Walkman, technology has been helping people make their language learning more effective.

Nowadays, there are even more ways to use technology to both aid and improve your language learning activities.  In fact, there are even technologies created specifically for mastering languages now, such as electronic dictionaries, translators and expert language software.

Here a few other ideas:

• Take photos of places and things in the foreign country, using them to practice vocabulary in a visual manner.
• You can also do the same with a camcorder, this time with even more dynamic video footage.
• You can capture native speakers in conversation both via audio or video, using the resulting footage for studying pronunciation and pacing.

There are probably dozens of ways you can use modern technology to your advantage when studying language.   Why not employ them?

For analytical learners, even early versions of language learning software is like a gift sent down from heaven when it comes to language study, because the medium suits their preferred modes of picking up information so well. While modern language software still offers the same structured type of instruction, they now include the option of studying in other forms, making them suitable even for those who aren’t suited to stimulus-response types of instruction.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary is one area where electronic technologies can truly take the game to another level. With a language software available, you can easily find the equivalent of an English word in any language that you want, complete instructions on the proper context in which to employ them.

Language Skills

In the areas of reading and listening comprehension, technology can perform like no other. The availability of materials of all forms – from articles to movies to songs – allow people to train their capacity to understand in another language much easier. For developing writing and speaking skills, though, I’m inclined to agree with detractors – you need real-world experience for that. Language software can provide basic practice, but you’ll need to apply the language out in the world to really gain heightened proficiency with its use.