Tips for Teaching with CALL: Practical Approaches to Computer-Assisted Language Learning [with CD].

Chapelle and Jamieson have written a reader-friendly volume that is free of technical jargon that is accessible to most teachers. The book is a well planned source of teaching ideas,with a well defined structure and plan for class implementation. The best aspect of the book is the variety of activities for teachers to choose from. Although the book has numerous valuable attributes, it also suffers from some shortcomings. For instance, the authors might have included a section on language assessment and free language tests, such as TOEFL (http://toeflpractice.ets.org/) or some others (e.g., http://www.examenglish.com). It would also have been useful to refer readers to free online journals, such as TESL EJ (http://tesl-ej.org/), The Internet TESL Journal (http://iteslj.org/), CALL EJ (http://www.tell. is.ritsumei.ac.jp/callejonline/), or Language Learning & Technology (http://llt.msu.edu/) for additional teaching ideas. Another potential weak point is that 65% of the websites referred to charge a user fee. Consequently, although the book is a great source of ideas, many teachers may have to browse free websites like Isabel's ESL Site (http://www.isabelperez.com/) or About.com (http://esl.about.com) to find similar sources. However, although the emphasis on commercial websites is a flaw, the authors do emphasize that it is important for teachers to find, select, and adapt appropriate materials for their students (Doering, 2006). Finally, it is important to note that all the materials mentioned in the book are designed for teaching ESL. There is no mention of materials for the teaching of any other languages. All in all, Chapelle and Jamieson's volume combines SLA and teaching with Internet activities. The book is an valuable contribution to the field and will be a useful resource for both novice and expert teachers.

REFERENCES

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Doering, A. (2006). Adventure learning: Transformative hybrid online education. Distance Education, 27(2), 197-215. Retrieved April 14, 2009 from http://www.polarhusky.com/ceu/transformative.pdf.

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Hardisty, D., & Windeatt, S. (1989). CALL: Resource books for teachers. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Hegelheimer, V., & Chapelle, C. A (2000). Methodological issues in research on learner-computer interactions in CALL. Language Learning & Technology, 4(1), 41-59. Retrieved April 14, 2009 from http://llt.msu.edu/vol4num1/hegchap/default.html.

Krashen, S. (1982). Principles and practice in second language acquisition. Oxford: Pergamon.

Krashen, S. (2006). Free reading: Is it the only way to make kids more literate? School Library Journal, 52(9), 42-46. Retrieved April 14, 2009 from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article /ca6367048.html?q=krashen.

Lee, C., Jor, J., & Lai, E. (2005). Web based teaching and English language teaching: A Hong-Kong experience. Beijing: The Chinese University Press.

Loucky, J. P. (2005). Combining the benefits of electronic and online dictionaries with CALL websites to produce effective and enjoyable vocabulary and language learning lessons. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 18(5), 389-416.

Sperling, D. (1998). Dave Sperling's Internet guide. New York: Pearson Education.

Szendeffy, J. de (2005). A practical guide to using computers in language teaching. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press

Vinther, J. (2005). Cognitive processes at work in CALL. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 18(4), 251-271.

Windeatt, S., Hardisty, D., & Eastment, D. (2000). The Internet: Resource books for teachers. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Jesus Garcia Laborda received his Ph.D. in English Linguistics from Complutense University (Madrid, Spain), an M.A. in TESOL from the University of Georgia, and an M.A.F.L.L. from the University of Wisconsin. His research interests include low-stakes computer based language testing. He has reviewed materials for TESOL Quarterly, Educational Technology and Society, Language Teaching Research, ELT Journal, and ESP Journal. E-mail: jgarcial@upvnet.upv.es

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