The role of CALL in the language learning and creative thinking development of ESL students.

摘要

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) in providing opportunities for the language learning and creativity development of ESL students in a computer-mediated communication (CMC) environment. Noticing little research on the use of computers in language learning classrooms focusing on develop learners' creativity, this study sought to understand ways, that CMC environments can contribute to the creativity of students, as well as enhance their opportunities for language acquisition.;This study employed a mixed model method. The sites for this study were a middle school located in the midwest United States and a rural public university located in the northwestern U.S. Fifteen sixth through eighth grade students and fifteen pre-service teachers participated in the computer-based communication tasks regularly once or twice a week for 12 weeks.;To meet the goal of this study, that is, to gain a deep understanding and holistic picture of ESL students' language learning and creativity opportunities through CMC, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Data were analyzed focusing on the learning opportunities that the students had in a CMC environment and their use of the opportunities. Several learning opportunities for language, creativity and other areas emerged from the data.;The findings of this study will help language educators and CALL researchers to acknowledge the close relationship between creativity and language learning and the importance of incorporating creative thinking skills into language instruction in computer-assisted language learning environments. In particular, the study enables educators and researchers to understand better the learning opportunities provided by computer technology with regard to language learning and creativity of language learners.