Literacy Links

Technology Integration

The Importance of Computers in ESL Classes

by Linda Kersh and Luis Noriega

According to a national study, there is a significant number of Americans who have little or no access to computers and the information accessed with computers. The study described the lack of access as a "digital divide" between information "haves" and "have nots" and cautioned that the gap continues to widen between socioeconomic groups. (Falling Through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide, November 1999). Race or ethnic origin were found to be significant determinants of access to new technologies with Hispanic households significantly below the national average. Computer classes and access to computers through public access points, such as public schools and libraries, can make a tremendous difference with this population.

In our Even Start Family Literacy Program, we work with Hispanic families that have very low literacy skills even in their native language. Most of them have no access to computers other than in our adult education classes. When we started introducing computers, we found that most of our students, especially the Beginning English as a Second Language students, were afraid to use the computers. Many were afraid to even touch the equipment. To help them become more comfortable with the computers, our adult education teacher worked with small groups of two or three students at the computer on his desk in the classroom during a regular class. He started these students with interesting software, like Oxford Picture Dictionary and Side by Side Interactive, that was interesting and easy for them to use. As they worked on the computer, they were reinforcing basic English skills while becoming more comfortable with the computers and learning basic computer skills. After the students mastered basic skills and felt more comfortable, they started working in small groups and by themselves in the computer lab.

Oxford Picture Dictionary is an interactive software that enables students to learn and use English in all aspects of their daily life. The software uses sound and animation and can be used on its own or in conjunction with the dictionary. The key topics cover home and family, the workplace, the community, health care and academic studies. It is used for students in beginning and low intermediate level ESL classes Side by Side Interactive software uses a dynamic conversational and all-skills practice. Higher level students can improve their pronunciation and listening skills. Both of these programs build the students' English vocabulary while helping students with computer skills including keyboarding and how to use the mouse.

In addition to using ESL software, students are learning to use computer programs including Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. The more advanced and GED students work more extensively with these programs because they do not need the basic English practice that the ESL software provides. These programs facilitate a higher level of reading and writing, and we encourage the students in independent and group projects that enhance their development. Additionally, students are enhancing their skills for the workplace.

Our adult education teacher found that groups were also useful to the students in the computer lab because by grouping students, he had the advantage of combining students from different English and computer literacy levels. More advanced students learn as they help the less advanced students, and all the students gain in confidence as their skills increase. Programs may find that because of ratio of students to computers, they must group students to allow all students access. Our computer lab consists of twenty computers, so we can allow some students to work independently and others to work in groups of two or three. Grouping students allows an opportunity for these students to access the technology while facilitating peer teaching which can be a powerful tool for adult education teachers to utilize in their classrooms.

As our students learn about computers, they use their knowledge to support their children's education. Many of our students are planning to purchase computers for their home as a result of learning about them in their ESL classes. Having computers in their homes will benefit all the family and work to lessen the "digital divide" that, in this society, is becoming the criteria for defining lower socioeconomic status. As a telecommunications project funded through a grant from the AT & T Foundation concluded:

It is becoming all too clear that with the changes occurring in the U.S. economy, education in computer literacy and affordability of services are crucial factors that will influence the prospects for upward social mobility for a large segment of the Latino community. As serious questions emerge concerning impediments to Latino access to the information superhighway, public policy should address the ramifications of a potentially growing information underclass in a democratic society.

Telecommunications Project The Tomás Rivera Center

In an information rich society, Hispanics are at a significant disadvantage because they experience lower levels of computer and Internet access. Consequently, it is important to introduce computers in English as a Second Language, adult education classes for, in this age of information, computer literacy is a vital component of adult literacy.

About the Author

Linda Kersh received her MLS from Texas Woman's University and is the Even Start Coordinator in Tyler.

Luis Noriega has a BS from UAAAN in Saltillo, Mexico. He teaches Beginning ESL, GED, Computer Literacy and facilitates small parent groups for the Literacy Council of Tyler.