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Implementing ICT in Teaching English

Technology has become an important aspect in our lives since it is used nowadays in different ways for different purposes. In the field of education, the development of technology has helped a lot in the teaching process.
ICT (Information and Communication Technology) is a form of using technology. It consists of audio-visual aids in addition to digital technologies like computers and the internet. These are motivating tools that help a lot in teaching and learning.
Nowadays, modern ICT tools such as, the internet, computers, laptops, smartphones, and others are used widely in teaching English. Using these tools facilitates applying new methods and techniques in teaching that lead to the achievement of the desired goals of teaching. 
 For instructors, ICT is a professional resource that can be used as a mode of information delivery, and a source of valuable teaching texts. They use the internet to surf through countless educational activities and materials. They can use the internet to prepare their lessons and to search for topics that will help in facilitating their lessons and then choosing the suitable activities and technological tools to provide an effective learning environment. It helps to turn dull subjects into interactive and fun activities. Using multimedia in teaching English will help instructors to present their lessons in a more attractive and interesting way as multimedia combines sound, images, and text. It helps a lot in presenting information easily. This will increase the trainees' interest and motivation in studying because using multimedia in teaching English helps to bring real-life situations into the teaching process.
Using ICT helps instructors to find easier ways to create instructional materials. It helps them to prepare and store their own teaching materials. Also, it provides them with different topics, exercises and quizzes that will save their time an effort.
For trainees, ICT provides opportunities to communicate more effectively and to develop literacy skills. Applying ICT in learning will help trainees to take more responsibility for their own learning. Also, it stimulates their initiatives and provides more effective environments for English teaching since, they can surf through the internet to search for the information needed. Moreover, it will improve trainees' ability to listen and speak and then, improve their communication competence. This will help them increase self-confidence and self-esteem.
Through the integration of ICT in foreign language education, trainees can learn by practicing and being entertained without memorization. They can develop their language skills (i.e., reading, listening, writing, and speaking) via various tools used in the classroom as well as outside the classroom through the internet by using a variety of easily accessible tools and technology-based materials.  
Also, using ICT in learning English helps trainees to find out the information easily and to learn at their own pace. Moreover, it provides great opportunities for communications and collaboration between trainees among different countries. They can interact and share what they have learnt with trainees in other classrooms in other countries. This will be very motivating for them to learn the language.
ICT has helped to develop education from instructor - centered as in the traditional methods to trainee - centered. It has shifted the instructor's role from being a source of information to being a guide to search for information. Therefore, it is considered as a valuable tool for researching. This will make the learning process more interesting, motivating, stimulating and meaningful for trainees.

 
                                                                                    Written by: Ins. Jawaher ALrowayeh