Keywords
ELAO
software program
English
educational technology
e-learning
ELAO
CALL
enseñanza de lenguas
software educativo
How to Cite
Abstract
Undoubtedly, the wide and daily use of computers and the Internet has contributed to an increase of interest in the use of software tools for language teaching and learning. Nowadays, the role of language learning software is a vital one. Educational software tools modify the scenario teachers and students have been working in so far, and thus, assessing their quality becomes necessary. After the literature review of CALL, or ELAO in Spanish (Ahmad et al., 1985; Bax, 2003; Butler-Pascoe, 2011; Fotos y Browne, 2013; Santiago, 2003; Tafazoli et al., 2019; Warschauer y Healey, 1998; Yang, 2010), this work analyzes and compares five language learning software programs that are currently available on the market. The goal is to assess their functioning, contents, main features, user-friendliness, and layout characteristics. In order to do that, some categories will be proposed and followed to carry out a thorough study of each software. The results show that all software programs feature aspects that make them appealing, for instance, the possibility for students to manage their own learning. However, the teaching of each macro-skill does not receive the same importance in all software programs. This analysis will allow us to draw some conclusions that will help take a step forward on assessment criteria of this type of software. The ultimate goal of the study will be meeting our students’ expectations and suggesting some improvements which these software providers might take into account.
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