Computer-Assisted Language Learning in East Asia

Abstract

Recently, there has been an obvious blooming of the manufacturing of computer hardware and peripherals in Asian countries: to illustrate, Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, and Taiwan. Meanwhile, various information and communications technologies (ICT) and computer games are blossoming among adolescents’ entertainment choices that promote their media literacies. Educators have long acknowledged the potential of using ICT to enhance instruction (hereafter referred to as CBL, computer-based learning), and organized conferences and associations to promote academic activities and disseminate updated information about them. In spite of the similar excitement in the East Asian area, at present, there is almost no authoritative scholarly CBL journal available in East Asia. Descriptions of regional academic-conference activities would help the international community understand the development and academic achievements in East Asian areas. The paper is organized with a detailed description about professional associations and conferences of CBL in East Asia with a focus on language learning, followed by the report of a unique project in Taiwan as an example of East Asian cases.