TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS IN ESL/EFL INSTRUCTION: A FRAMEWORK FOR STRUCTURING TECHNICAL MEDIA-BASED LESSONS

Over the past 30 years there have been drastic developments in the technical media that intersects with language teaching. Hence, many ESL/EFL teachers are now integrating this type of technology at a very fundamental level in their classes. This article presents an overview of the use of technical media as a tool for ESL/EFL instruction. The first section attempts at defining the concept of technical media as opposed to that of non-technical media. Then, the focus is on the rational behind incorporating the first type of media in the ESL/EFL language classroom. A further point to be raised revolves around some guidelines for the selection, adaptation of technical media-based materials. At this level, the article suggests a framework for structuring lessons using such a type of technology, along with sample lessons illustrating this framework. The overall aim is to better guide ESL/EFL teachers in their use of technical media, through providing them with some insights as to how to effectively integrate technology into their classroom lessons.