14. SWAHILI — COLLOQUIUM, Bayreuth (mai 25-27, 2001)
The use of computer technologies in teaching Swahili
(K. Geitlinger, Zurich)



My presentation has three objectives:
  1. To present the project ALI Swahili.
  2. To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of computer based instruction.
  3. To discuss the use of ALI Swahili in language teaching.
1)
ALI Swahili was launched in October 2000. It runs under the direction of Prof. Dr. T. Bearth, and is supported by the University of Zurich. The objectives of the project are the compilation of a computer-based course of the Swahili language, and the integration of this course in the curriculum. After using the initial phase of the project to plan the contents of the course and review the technical options, we are now in the stage of implementation and compilation of the actual lessons. We plan to run the first course using ALI Swahili in October 2001.
2)
The course will appear on CD. In comparison with a textbook, the CD has, among others, the following three advantages:
  • The possibility of including video clips and voice samples. On the one hand, this feature enhances the contextuality of the subject matter, and provides the student with models for practice. On the other hand, it helps to impart concepts that are unknown to the student.
  • The possibility of using interactive techniques. There are a variety of techniques of animation and highlighting available; these techniques help the student to explore complex linguistic facts step by step, at his own pace. This interactive feature is not only valuable for grammatical explanations, but also for exercises.
  • The possibility of using hyperlinks. Not only information stored separately on the CD, but also information from the Internet can be made accessible through the use of hyperlinks. Thus it is possible to provide a basic language course and more detailed accounts of certain topics at the same time.
In addition, the CD has some advantages in comparison with traditional classroom teaching: not only is it possible for the student to perform the learning process at his own pace; through the use of the link technique, it is also possible to address different target audiences with one and the same product. This is not to say, however, that we envision our product to replace classroom teaching altogether, as language acquisition through self-study has some serious shortcomings. These shortcomings center around the lack of ‚real' feedback, be it with regard to questions that arise during the study, or with regard to the student's own speaking performance.
3)
In view of the advantages and shortcomings mentioned above, ALI Swahili envisages to combine the CD based self-study with the establishment of a virtual classroom, where communication between the teacher and the students will take place in a ‚chat room', and through e-mails. Additionally, the traditional method of face-to-face teaching will be continued, albeit in a modified form: it will serve to clarify and deepen the subjects introduced on the CD, as well as to practice a creative use of the language.
The use of computer technologies in language instruction calls for more flexibility on part of both teachers and students. However, the presence of the computer in our daily activities is an undisputable fact. We hope that the final product of ALI Swahili will be evidence of how this fact can be used to great profit in the process of second language acquisition.
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