COMPUTER MEDIATED COMMUNICATION FOR TEACHING LANGUAGES IN DISTANCE

Abstract

Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) have become critical in distance language education as posed by the high rate of technological change. This research question will address how CMC and CALL tools, as well as AI-based technologies, can be used to improve the results of language learning. The quantitative research design was taken up in the form of pre-test and post-test to assess the performance of learners. The participants of the study were a sample of 130 people, consisting of undergraduate and postgraduate students and instructors who were chosen by stratified random sampling. Online learning platform logs, structured questionnaires to evaluate engagement (cognitive, social, affective) and pre- and post-language evaluation and analytics generated by the system in the use of AI tools were used to collect data. The statistical data gathered were examined through descriptive statistics, paired t-test, correlation and regression models to determine the relationship existing between variables and learning outcomes. The findings show that there is a great improvement in the performance of the learners, mean scores going up to 78.6 (post-test) as compared to 57.8 (pre-test), and the average learning gain is 20.8. Statistical significance is proven by the paired t-test (t = 12.45, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis demonstrates that the CMC usage (r = 0.62), CALL usage (r = 0.65), engagement (r = 0.71) and learning gain have positive relationships. The strongest predictor as indicated by the regression results is engagement (r = 0.67). The best performance of 89 per cent was attained in the integrated CMC + CALL + AI model. The paper finds that language learning that involves the use of technology is very effective in achieving high performance and engagement that is why it is very effective in distance learning. Adaptive learning systems and inclusive digital pedagogies should be the topic of future research.

Keywords: Distance education, computer mediated communication, computer assisted language learning, second language learning.