Human-computer interaction and the effect of CALL : A case study

Taking the form of case study, this empirical research describes how the effects of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) differ, depending on types of learners in terms of affective variables and learning strategies toward CALL. A group of Japanese university students used original multimedia CALL material which was experimentally developed. The material was designed to help the students attain precise understanding of the text and familiarize them with authentic spoken English, in order to facilitate their oral activities based on it. The analyses of learning strategies were made with data from their learning logs recorded by the program while pre- and post-questionnaires were given to the students to assess their attitude toward CALL. Also, listening and speaking tests were administered before and after the individual CALL study. Comparisons of the results from these analyses showed enormous individual differences in the effect of CALL. Two pairs of contrastive cases are discussed in depth from the viewpoints of the listening and speaking test results, the attitude toward CALL and the actual use of CALL.departmental bulletin pape