Reading with CALL

In comparison to the number of English Language Learner resources available, there is a dearth of resources dedicated to Less Commonly Taught languages like Hindi. In an attempt to make up for the disparity of resources dedicated to Hindi, the US has started what it calls a "flagship" program at the University of Texas at Austin. Part of this effort has been dedicated to providing online student resources that employ techniques based upon recent pedagogical thought that are designed to enhance learning. One of these resources was created by Jishnu Shankar and can be found by clicking here.

Professor Shankar has created a series of slideshow presentations that use realia and enhanced text to teach vocabulary and grammar in context. He provides pre-reading questions, glossaries, comprehension questions, practice exercises, and enhanced text that helps bring learner attention to particular grammatical forms. The site features authentic texts like political cartoons, health posters, advertisements, and magazine articles. It offers materials for a variety of reading levels covering a good variety of topics. The choice to produce the materials in a PowerPoint format allows students or instructors to download particular items for future use.

Using this as a model, one could create slideshows that include audio and video portions. These could be provided within the document or by making hyperlinks to materials on the web. This kind of nonlinear PowerPoint allows learners to seek support when they feel they need it. This kind of interaction with the material should help reinforce the language addressed.