Abstract:

21st Century is the age of technological development and this reflects in all spheres of life including teaching and learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) becomes very common in our everyday life and in the learning and teaching process in most of the developed world. The researchers and linguists are now emphasising the need for all learners to master what they call “21st Century Skills” which is also fairly similar to what the Government of Bangladesh declares as “Digital Bangladesh”. This digitalisation of education is important to integrate the communication technology and classroom activities. Particularly in teaching EFL/ESL, for all language skills, modern technological tools are essential, interesting and prove successful. Language teachers decide to exploit the potentials of ICT as it can easily and effectively promote the language learning. In this paper, I tried to find out the answers – how well to use technological tools such as computers, internet etc. in EFL/ESL instruction and how a technology based teaching method brings a better learning outcome. In this connection I have selected few classrooms of higher secondary institutions and undergraduate classes of private universities of Bangladesh and also interviewed few faculty members for their opinions. Ultimately I have found the research resulted that EFL/ESL teachers who used technology in classrooms in instructing English are more successful than those who do not use technology in classrooms. Based on findings my modest suggestion is that because of the demand of the time, English teachers in Bangladesh, along with all limitations, should use ICT in classroom instructions to make it more motivating and successful one.

Keywords:

ICT, EFL/ESL teaching, learning, higher secondary and tertiary levels English classrooms in Bangladesh, four language skills, ICT based tools and resources.