Interactive Technology: The Future of Language Teaching and Learning

NSW AMES has taught English in the classroom, in the workplace, online and via distance education for 60 years. It continues to provide leadership in language and literacy education by meeting the need for personalised learning.

The NSW AMES vision of the future is an even greater dominance of interactive technology. Technology that makes learning more flexible, accessible and relevant to the individual’s learning needs.

Students across Australasia are already accessing the interactive range of NSW AMES online courses, EnglishatAMES™, to learn the language, employability and vocational skills required to live and work in English-speaking environments.

NSW AMES Acting Director, Jonathan Tennant says, “Learning online allows students to study anytime, anywhere and to focus on the skills they want to develop. They could be sitting on a train learning English as they commute to work or studying with friends who they met via the online course forums”.

The online learning environment utilises multimedia: video, sound, animation and interactive tasks.

Students learning English online are immersed in the language. They watch and hear native English speakers participating in real-life social and work situations. Students complete interactive exercises, including speaking tasks, which provide opportunities to practice, record and listen to their spoken responses. This increases their spoken accuracy, fluency and confidence to use English.

Students read real articles and texts, produce their own written language and complete exercises on grammar and vocabulary. Instant feedback on answers consolidates the learning cycle.

Students benefit from:

• 24 hour access to study, anywhere and anytime

• immersion in the English language

• the chance to focus on their individual learning needs

• intensive listening practice in a non-threatening environment

• the opportunity to self-pace their learning choosing their own intensity and duration of study

• revising and repeating tasks as often as required

• studying real language in real contexts

• doing the varied and challenging features of the online program which include interactive tasks, videos, audio, language tips and language notes

• receiving instant feedback on tasks completed to measure their progress

• learning from international teachers

• gaining exposure to western cultural norms

“Institutes teaching online are able to provide students with flexible study options,” says Tennant. Institutes are implementing EnglishatAMES™ courses as a key element of their course provision. The online courses are being used to supplement classroom teaching materials, to provide flexible study options for students and to reduce the costs of course delivery. They are managing the enrolment, tracking and reporting of student progress via the online learner management system.

The EnglishatAmes™ range of online courses is extensive and includes:

General English skills

Engage globally and succeed in English. CSWE Online courses develop the listening, speaking, reading, writing and employability skills students need to live and work in an English-speaking environment:

• SWE I Online (Beginner IELTS 3.0)

• SWE II Online  (Pre intermediate IELTS 4.0)

• SWE III Online  (Intermediate IELTS 5.0)

Workplace Communication Skills

Communication in the workplace is more than just language. Learn advanced skills in this series of short courses:

• Customer Service

• Grammar you need

• Jobseekers online

• Negotiating and problem solving

• Pronunciation at work

• Writing for work

English for Health Professionals

This is a highly specialised suite of clinically-based courses designed to improve spoken communication skills:

• English for Health Professionals: Nurses

• English for Health Professionals: Doctors