by Jarek Krajka

Maria Curie-Sklodowska University,

Lublin, Poland
jarek.krajka@wp.pl

            The sixth year of existence of Teaching English with Technology, A Journal for Teachers of English is marked with the new issue of the Journal, devoted to a variety of themes pertaining to various spheres of Technology-Enhanced Language Learning. As usual, the editorial team of the Journal is happy to give floor to contributions of different types, both articles documenting research done as well as tutorials exposing the potential of various tools in language teaching and learning. It seems that only by maintaining appropriate balance between academic data-supported and practical hands-on submissions will the wide readership of Teaching English with Technology fully appreciate the opportunities of CALL and TELL.

            Thus, from a more theoretical side, this issue features the article entitled "Communication via E-Mail in ESP" by Galina Kavaliauskienė and Vilhelmina Vaičiūnienė (Lithuania), who describe recent research into the use of email to enhance the teaching of languages for specific purposes (ESP). The authors try to prove that appropriate use of multimedia encourages students to become more self-directed and autonomous in their learning through the integration of learner collaboration into e-mail exchange project.

            Another article in the Journal, “Using Web-Based Research Tasks for the Promotion of Deep Learning” by Malgorzata Kurek (Poland), is based on the concept of using the cognitive and linguistic potential of online resources to involve students in deeper learning. The author concentrates on how Web resources can be used to train EFL college learners in approaching complex research tasks using deep learning strategies. It is worth noting that the contribution of Malgorzata Kurek was based on the excellent presentation at EUROCALL 2005 conference, held in Cracow (Poland) in August 2005.

            “Using Corpora in Language Teaching and Learning”, the article by James Thomas from the Czech Republic, is concerned with theoretical issues and practical applications of using a concordancing program. The paper is a written version of a successful presentation at another major CALL event held in Poland last year, namely 3^rd International Conference ICT in ELT 6T/60 (Teaching Teachers To Teach Through Technology). It is to be noted that even though organised by different institutions, both EUROCALL and 6T/60 had the same conference manager, Grazyna Studzinska from Wellington Teachers’ Development Centre in Gliwice, who needs to be praised as Poland’s leading (and only) CALL conference organizer.

            In A Word from a Techie section Wojciech Korput deals with the technicalities of grabbing audio and video materials from the Web. The article written by the Journal webmaster details the steps of downloading and recording different types of materials, which can be extremely useful in preparing materials for the language classroom. Finally, the Internet Lesson Plans section features two lesson plans written by the humble undersigned, demonstrating the use of Internet materials in teaching intermediate learners.

            As usual, it is hoped that a rich mix of issues, aspects, views and solutions presented will stimulate the readers of Teaching English with Technology to their personal pedagogical endeavours.

            I wish you good reading.