2.1. Internet
the Internet, also referred to as the Net, is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to serve several billion users worldwide. It is a network that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, of local to global scope, which are linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless and optical networking technologies. the Internet carries an extensive range of information resources and services, such as the inter-linked hypertext documents of the World Wide Web (WWW), the infrastructure to support email, and peer-to-peer networks (retrieved from the Wiki Web). the Internet allows greater flexibility in working hours and location, especially with the spread of unmetered high-speed connections. the Internet can be accessed almost anywhere by numerous means, including through mobile internet devices. Mobile phones, datacards, handheld game consoles and cellular routers allow users to connect to the Internet wirelessly (George, 2006).
The Internet is an important medium that provides the potential for purposeful and powerful use of online communication in listening, speaking, reading, and writing (Warschauer, 2000). It’s estimated that 85% of electronically stored information in the world is in English, so surfing the Internet and searching for the social, economic, cultural, educational information on the Internet is itself a process of language learning and use. Therefore, the Internet can be considered as an ideal English learning and application tool.