Abstract:
The rapid advancement of technology has changed the way the world operates. Technology
has invaded the every facet of human lives. Reformation of various kinds is taking place in
the field of educationdue to modern technology.Integrating computer technologyinto
education is the latest trend in the modern world.With technological development, computer
technology has been incorporated in language learning and teaching.The objective of this
research is to investigate whether Computer Assisted Language Learning(CALL) is effective
in improving the four areas of language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking in
English as a Second Language class room (ESL) with a special reference to selected
undergraduates of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Sri
Jayewardenepura. The data was gathered through a questionnaire of thirty two items and
conducting a Pre-test and a Post-test during the CALL programme in the Language
Laboratory of the Department of English. Each skill was tested in the Pre-test and the Posttest
separately through the use of CALL. According to the findings of the questionnaire
100% of the participants agreed that CALL is an effective way of learning a language in ESL
class room. The research findings from actual class room tests showed that 88% of the
participants could improve speaking skills, 74% of students could develop listening skills and
64% of the students could improve reading and writing skills. Out of the number of fifty
students 82% of them could improve their language proficiency through the use of Computer
Assisted Language Learning.The research findings prove that CALL provides a better
learning environment, helpful in improving the four areas of language skills of the learners in
the ESL classroom.
