Moving beyond basics: from CALL coursework to classroom practice and professional development

This chapter addresses the issue of transfer from computer-assisted language learning (CALL) coursework to language teaching practice and teacher professional development. The study reported in this chapter specifically looks at and examines a formal CALL course offered as an optional course for postgraduate students at an Australian university. It employs surveys and follow-up interviews to investigate how language teachers, who had previously completed the CALL course, use CALL in their teaching situations and how they continue their professional development in CALL. The results of the study indicate that the teachers valued the CALL knowledge and skills they gained in the CALL course as the coursework opened their eyes to the potential of CALL in the classroom and the evaluation of CALL materials. The teachers expressed a desire for more knowledge on how best to integrate CALL as well as for further professional development and training in CALL. Findings enhance our understanding of the impact of CALL coursework on CALL practice in situated contexts and provide practical implications for language teacher education