INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) AS A MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING (ELT) (Pages 01-05) by Prof. V. Jayakumar in THE ENGLISH INDIA / ISSN: 2321-1172 (Online); 2347-2634 (Print)

This paper clearly portrays that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a modern technology in English Language Teaching (ELT). This has become possible in our community since the availability of computers. Moreover it tells more about to what extend we can exploit it in English Language Teaching (ELT). In particular, according to our conditions and needs, ICT should be exploited effectively to shift from teacher-centered approach to the student-centered approach in ELT. In this condition the students have the choice to learn programmed materials and to steer through large amounts of information via computer into the web, to master new knowledge with this innovative technology. Those who are in teaching profession need to exploit the potential of ICT to meet his / her teaching objective. Today, it has become an imperative one for the teachers to equip the students to learn through the examples from ICT. Information and Communication Technology enabled teaching has already been introduced in several colleges and Universities. This paper attempts to highlight the significance of Communication Skills and underscores the scope for blending Communication Skills and ICT. It also suggests the ways of developing Communication Skills through ICT support. This paper intends to present the modest attempt of designing and developing ELT techniques as an art of material downloading from the Internet. The presentation of these materials from Internet proves how ICT materials can become the most modern teaching aid in ELT. Information and Communication Technology materials produce instant attention and generate interest with the Indian learners of English. And in the changing global scenario, a modern communicatively competent person is held in great demand for ELT. Communication of ideas and information is an inevitable role that a teacher has to perform in the class room. Thus many educational institutions in the country have found ICT as a modern technology in ELT and have started to use it without fail. Key Words: ICT (Information and Communication Technology), ELT (English Language Teaching), Communication Skill, Internet, Learner – centered.