by Jarek Krajka
jkrajka@batory.plo.lublin.pl

The growth of interest in technology is apparent not only in the number of websites springing up around the world, but in its practical applications in all spheres of life. It is beyond doubt that computers and the Internet can add enormous potential to language teaching and learning, providing that teachers and learners know how to make the most of technology.

Few people would doubt the importance of the Internet to language learning. What is a concern at the moment, at least in Poland, is that really few teachers of subjects other than Information Technology know how to use the Internet and computers to enhance and aid teaching their subjects. With big funds pumped into technology, the field which is neglected is teachers and teacher training in the field of ICT. It is more than likely that very soon the problem of technology, the lack of computers or bad or slow Internet connection will cease to exist, but the problem of inexperienced teachers, not confident in the use of computers and the Internet to teach their subjects, not aware of the possible merits technology could bring to their teaching, will be a serious obstacle on the road towards online learning.

"Teaching English with Technology," a new journal for teachers using technology, computers and the Internet in their teaching, tries to address these issues by publishing practical articles, plans of lessons actually done in the classroom, reviews of websites having potential for organising lessons or relevant in some way to teachers or learners, reviews of language learning software, tips of advice on using computer programmes in teaching and learning, reports from past events, announcements of future events and news. It is the intention of the editor to make this journal a publishing forum for teachers, so as to give them the chance to share their experiences and ideas with the professional community, even if this is just a single lesson plan or a classroom technique. My experience shows that teachers need a journal like this to feel rewarded, sometimes to meet the demands of publications imposed by school administration. Therefore, the journal is meant to be very practical, useful and set in school reality, rather than theoretical and academic. Consequently, having teachers as readers in mind, we will accept short practical articles, lesson plans and website reviews.

Obviously, the reality of Polish schools may be very much different from the reality of the USA, Spain or Australia, but what is common to us all is on the one hand the same objective - to teach the same language, English, and on the other hand the same teaching medium - the Internet and computers. The existence of the Internet, with websites and email communication, with instant access and fast searching, with its variety of interesting, authentic, appealing materials in every sphere of life, creates enormous opportunities to make our teaching more realistic, lively and interactive. We can give our students the real purpose to learn - the real purpose to write, to read, to listen or speak using the Internet. We need to use that opportunity to the full, and give our students the experience of their lifetime, often the one they will never experience in real life.