Abstract:

Current trends of foreign language teaching consist of information and communication technologies. Due to modern educational requirements this method is frequently used, though determination of its effectiveness regarding different types of methodologies requires deeper research, especially in Georgia. In my paper I’m describing the use of different types of ICT on Spanish language (as a foreign language) classes at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University on bachelor' degree where I’m highlighting the role of a teacher.

The aim of my research is to prove that teachers′ role is immense in foreign language (in my case Spanish) teaching. My 14 years of experience in teaching has shown me that without a teacher′s control learning process is chaotic and acquired knowledge is superficial. A teacher should provide the classroom with comfortable and diverse atmosphere, change some boring activities into funny ones and adjust them to appropriate interests of a student. The effective use of ICT will help them in it. (The paper includes examples of activities related to ICT and quite interesting results of research which I hope will be useful for other teachers too).

I planned a research at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University with the participation of three groups of students (of 10 - 15 students in each one) who were studying Spanish as an optional subject. (A1 level)

The experiment′s aim was to teach each group the same program by different ways:
First step:
• Working with the first group I used all current educational methods, but I was not interested if my students used ICT out of the classroom.
• In the second group I used intensively the ICT and this process was mostly controlled by me.
• In the third group students were learning Spanish online using an electronic course and other online materials.
Second Step:
• In parallel I was observing all three groups using notes and diaries.
• Collected information was analyzed and conclusions were made.
Third step:
• In the end of the research the three groups of students were tested with the same level exam
• The results of each group were compared.
•All groups’ members were interviewed in order to know their opinions about the used ways of learning Spanish, how they were satisfied with acquired knowledge and whether they had comfortable study environment.

So, four different methods of pedagogical research were used: experiment, observation, achievement testing and interview.
The research results proved my hypothesis that the most effective form of teaching Spanish is to introduce ICT in the classroom under the teacher′ s control. This method is not unique but satisfies all contemporary educational requirements.

Keywords:

Spanish language teaching, information and communication technologies, the teacher′ s role, research.