Authentic texts and technology (was Re: SLA, teaching and the Shaolin paper)

[Ronald Sheen]

While waiting for someone to follow John's suggestion and suggest another
article to discuss, it might be worthwhile pursuing two aspects of the
Lians' paper outside of the context thereof. They are authentic texts and
technology. Can anyone provide any accounts of the use thereof which
demonstrates any significant beneficial effects of either. Being the
sceptic I am, I cannot see how there would be any long term effect though
innovations such as the internet will clearly increase initial motivation
which, I suspect, will dissipate at the realisation that no matter the
innovation, learning a language to any acceptable proficiency level
requires a great deal of hard work by the learner.

Ron Sheen U of Quebec in Trois Rivieres, Canada.

[Bob Yates]

Ronald Sheen wrote:

> I cannot see how there would be any long term effect though
> innovations such as the internet will clearly increase initial motivation
> which, I suspect, will dissipate at the realisation that no matter the
> innovation, learning a language to any acceptable proficiency level
> requires a great deal of hard work by the learner.

I can see some HUGE advantages of the internet right now. I can
maintain a certain proficiency in the two other languages I know by
going to sites and reading and hearing those languages being used.

Moreover, because I am able to read about events I am familiar with, I
am learning new vocabulary and hearing constructions I have never heard.

Finally, I have begun to exchange e-mail messages with my German nephew.
For the past six months, he would write to me in German and I would
respond in English. In the last week, he has begun to write to me in
English. We are now exchanging views on Kosovo.

Several days ago, I was reading a forum on the French newspaper
Liberation on Kosovo. I may have already crossed a certain threshold of
proficiency in my other L2s such that I believe I am able to understand
what I am reading.

I learned both of my "second" languages as second/not foreign languages.
None of what I am doing is "hard work" although it is work.

The net will provide me, and other like me, with a way to maintain my
proficiency in other languages much more easily than in the past.

It is too early to tell what the final impact on second language
learning will be. My belief now is that it will be very, very positive.

Bob Yates, Central Missouri State University