Teacher Education in CALL
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Chapter 4. Matching Language and IT Skills: The
Life-Cycle of an MA Programme
John Partridge, University of Kent, England
Abstract
During the nine years it was offered the MA in Applied Language Studies:
Computing at the University of Kent gave graduate linguists an insight into the
workings and products of IT to add to their professional expertise. The program
concentrated on applications, with linguists coming mainly from a literary
background being enabled to exploit the skills of IT experts. It was conceived
as being as far as possible hands-on and student-led, with negotiated
assignments, on the principle of students being more motivated by work they have
themselves designed and researched. On this basis they received individualised
and differential help. This paper discusses the rationale of the course, the
teaching team’s concept of CALL, the target student group, component courses,
the financial metric, staffing, equipment and technical support, and offers
insights into problems and their possible solutions, with needs analysis;
financial and staff support, continuity and constant maintenance being found to
be paramount.
References available online
Authorware. Available at http://www.adobe.com/products/authorware/.Babel Fish. Available at http://babelfish.altavista.com.
Babylon. Available at http://www.babylon.com.
Déjà Vu. Available at: http://www.atril.com/Director. Available at http://www.adobe.com/products/director/.
EuroDicAutom. Available at http://www.europa.eu.int/eurodicautom/.
LOGOS. Available at http://www.logos.it/lang/transl_en.html.PROMT. Available at http://www.promt.ru/.
SYSTRAN. Available at http://www.systranbox.com.
TRADOS. Available at http://www.trados.com.
WELL Project. Available at http://www.well.ac.uk/.
Updated December 8, 2006