Empowering ESL Teachers

Modern  technology  play a definite role in  empowering  English  Language  teachers,  by  giving  them  opportunity to interact with other teachers, get exposed to the latest practices, and speak the language of their students.

Technology  changed  the  vision  of  English  Language. Egypt  being, an  under-developed  country  has  been  facing  a  lot  of  challenges  along  with  this  serious  issue  that  English is still in its babbling stage and is being taught  with  the  same  traditional ways which lead  English  Language  students  to  roll  in  utmost  abyss  of ignorance, backwardness and unemployment.

Technology  empowers  all, having formal education, and also to those that don’t.  It creates equal opportunities to all; either it is poor or rich, male or female. 

By the use of  different applications of technology, English language  teachers  can  bring  very  positive  changes  in  English  language  teaching both to themselves and their students.    Previously,  English  language  teachers  were  gripped  with  the  fear  of  using  technology  for  their  profession  owing  to  different  threats  either  to  their  ego  or  to  their  jobs.  Moreover,  technology,  they  supposed,  was  a  setback  to  their  authority  over  English  as  it  may  reduce  the  gaps  between  the  trainer  and the  trainee,  teacher  and  student  which  may  shake  their  positions.  

The  fact  is  not so. Technology isn’t any threat to their jobs and  authority.  It  would not  replace  English  Language  teachers,  rather  it  would  facilitate  their job,  empower  them  with  the  latest  gadgets  and  knowledge,  the  gadgets  which  have  made  English  language  teaching  and  learning  easy . 

I train teachers and students on using e-tools. I always assess the training I give.  English  language  teachers,  who  were  the  participants  in these  training,  gained  a  lot  of  confidence,  knowledge  and  satisfaction.  Their  previous  thoughts  and  fears  about  technology  were  changed  and  they  were  further  hopeful  for  better  opportunities  to  empower  themselves  through  technology  for  better  and  prosperous  future  of  English Language in Egypt. Still, some abide to using certain tools rather than others. Teachers fear experimenting and this is a setback. Be courageous and try your hand on different tools.