IRANIAN ADULT LEARNERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF TECHNOLOGY TO FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING

Using technology in the process of teaching and learning languages has turned into a real necessity these days. The significance of technology in EFL contexts in particular is due to the fact that it provides EFL learners with more opportunities and exposure to practice learning English and its culture. In addition, more motivating and enjoyable learning environments can be created in which EFL learners are more engaged. As a result, the first section of this article highlights and introduces different approaches and techniques which can assist language learners to enhance their language skills by means of technology. These techniques include online English language learning web sites, computer assisted language learning programs, presentation software, electronic dictionaries, chatting and email messaging programs, etc. And the second section deals with a survey which was carried out to evaluate Iranian adult learners' perceptions of the contribution of technology to their EFL learning. In order to accomplish this, 120 subjects whose age was above twenty years were selected from either English-majors at the Islamic Azad University of Shiraz or the Kish Language Institute, located in Shiraz, Iran and then a questioner which had 10items was distributed among them, finally the result was analyzed by percentage. The findings of this study indicated that mostly these learners have a positive attitude about using technology, especially computers in developing their EFL skills. Although they believed that the technical capabilities of their institutions were to some extent poor and if better language learning outcomes are expected, those technical capabilities must be enhanced.