Developing EFL teachers’ instructional practices by using ICTs.

Abstract

Teachers of English as a foreign language in the twenty-first century have the potential to use information and communication technologies in their teaching. Increased access to online tools for students and better equipped facilities make it possible for educators to fully integrate ICT as part of their practices making it a great aid to learning and teaching. The aim of this study was to investigate the views and knowledge of English language teachers about the effectiveness of using ICT in developing students' language abilities. The research was conducted in the secondary school of Meshri Al-Masoum in Tiaret. Data were collected using two tools: questionnaires (for 04 teachers and 20 students) and classroom observation as another method of confirming the results. Content analysis methods were used to examine the data. The results show that the use of ICT facilitates EFL teachers' practices and student learning process, helps save time, provides more opportunities for more activities, limits non-disciplinary behaviors of students and encourages the leadership role of teachers. As a result, the use of ICT helps English language teachers teach more professionally, attract students' willingness to learn and improve their English level and eases the classroom organization process. This paper also suggests that the effective right use of ICT can help teachers of English as a foreign language in their teaching career in order to develop knowledge and the skills (reading, listening, speaking and writing) learners need for successful English learning and communicative use.