There are two the most frequently asked questions in the field of teaching English as a foreign language. The first question is: what to teach and how to teach. And the second one is: what knowledge, skills and abilities should our pupils have when they graduate schools. There are many approaches to language learning and teaching. The most widely used is called The Communicative Approach based on the theory that language is communication. In order to create an environment conductive to the learning of English, the teacher must be able to facilitate the communication process in the classroom. Every teacher has a set of tools which helps and supports the teacher to convey the ideas necessary to the pupils’ learning of English. These, for the most part, come in the form of books, cassettes or CDs, videocassettes, flashcards and so forth. Computer programmes nowadays are ones of the most valuable resources in the schools. They provide higher-level learning, technological advances, academic stimulation and pleasurable reading pursuits. Media programmes can put new life into old lessons and motivate pupils during their classroom curriculum. Yet, it is often the last place that a teacher think of when planning his/her daily lessons or seeking new resources or ideas.
The most widely used computer programmes for our pupils of 11-13 years old are “Round Up” and “Way Ahead” on CD-Roms. “Round-Up ”media programme helps the pupils to develop grammar skills of the English language.”Way Ahead” media course gives an opportunity to develop and practice the language skills: speaking, reading, writing, listening through the following activities: click on the correct picture, drag the letters to make the words, type in the gaps, find the words and so forth. “English in the field of multimedia ” is a computing course which provides the pupils with enough time to practice their reading skills. This course is for the ”Reading for pleasure ”lessons “Way Ahead 3”.This computer programme was created with the help of the programmer Agievich V.A. By using the computer programme “Power Point” our pupils create their projects.(“Who Helps Us?” “ Night Workers.” “My Hometown.”) The pupils love this kind of language learning activity and always anxious to present what they have done to their classmates. Early mornings or afternoons are usually devoted to self-practice studies. The pupils have the opportunity to practice their skills with the help of the multimedia programmes. They receive support, guidance and feedback of the teacher.
Computing programmes give the teachers an excellent opportunity to realize a learner centred approach when pupils are not only taught but they also learn the foreign language. Likewise multimedia programmes help to form the communicative competence of our pupils.