So far the Modern Foreign Languages section seems a bit dead. There are a number of burning issues relating to the teaching and learning of languages. Can we get things moving? The use of ICT is just one issue. A wide range of ICT topics are covered at the ICT4LT site, and you will find the heading "Discussion topic" scattered throughout the texts at the site: http://www.ict4lt.org
I would welcome feedback on any of the ICT issues that are raised there.
I have written a few articles that might spark off a few debates:
1997: "Lessons from the past, lessons for the future: 20 years of CALL". In Korsvold A-K. & Rüschoff B. (eds.) New technologies in language learning and teaching, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France. The full text (regularly updated) is on the Web at: http://www.camsoftpartners.co.uk/coegdd1.htm
1997: (with Yu Hong Wei) "Do grammar checkers work?". In Kohn J., Rüschoff B. & Wolff D. (eds.) New horizons in CALL: proceedings of EUROCALL 96, Dániel Berzsenyi College, Szombathely, Hungary. The full text is on the Web at:
http://www.camsoftpartners.co.uk/euro96b.htm
2001: "Doing it on the Web", Language Learning Journal (ALL) 24: 34-35. Also at: http://www.camsoftpartners.co.uk/DoingIt.htm
2002: "ICT and modern foreign languages: learning opportunities and training needs". An updated and abridged version of this article appears in Scottish Languages Review 8, June 2003, Scottish CILT: http://www.scilt.stir.ac.uk/SLR/index.htm
2003 "Computer Assisted Language Learning: Where are we now and where are we going?". Web article at the NESTA FutureLab site: http://www.nestafuturelab.org/viewpoint/learn23.htm
2004 ICT and Modern Languages in the National Curriculum: some personal views: http://www.camsoftpartners.co.uk/ictmfl.htm
Have a look too at the debate on the UK's National Literacy Strategy (NLS) in the English section of this Forum. The NLS has caused a bit of a rift between English and MFL teachers in the UK regarding approaches to teaching grammar and the metalanguage used in describing grammar.
Reactions?
I'll be in Austria from 12 March to 21 March, attending a planning meeting for the EUROCALL 2004 conference that will take place in Vienna in September, followed by a week's skiing in St Johann in Tirol - the snow looks great! I may log in from my hotel's Internet Corner if I can stay off the Glühwein and Schnaps.
Website of EUROCALL 2004: http://www.e-lisa.at/eurocall/
St Johann in Tirol: http://www.st.johann.tirol.at
The Hotel Park (my favourite Austrian hotel): http://www.park.at