ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the role of technology in language teaching and learning according to the existing body of research. Research into the various aspects of computer assisted language learning (CALL) can appear too broad and diverse for many outside the field to truly appreciate. As with many academic disciplines, CALL researchers are likely to focus upon distinct areas of specialization, such as linguistic communities, language skill areas, pedagogical contexts, pragmatics or discourse features. Collaborative language learning practices are becoming more common as the tools that support them are better understood and utilized. The use of corpora in linguistic research is well established, but the use of corpora in language learning is still a nascent area of investigation. Researchers have observed learner behavior in regard to language production across a variety of tasks and tools. Telecollaboration has also been valued for allowing learners to engage in interactions with otherwise unavailable native speakers.
