Role and Importance of ICT in English Language Teaching and Learning

The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education has brought dramatic modifications in the paradigms and methods practiced in the developed countries. In recent years, the exploitation of ICTs in teaching and learning has been expanded in developing countries too. Nowadays, we use e-devices as a gateway in learning and teaching language in ELT classrooms. Despite many more advantages of implementing ICT into ELT in the context like ours, we have some challenge too. Shrestha has mentioned some pitfalls that can be existed in an ICT integrated classroom. We may have difficulties in infrastructure development. Similarly, ICTs may not be in the access of all the teachers and learners. They are quite costly. We may face problem of transportation and electricity. The teachers can have the problem of providing training to the students. Similarly, there can be the problems in time management and material development. Similarly, some other problems are related to practicality, lack of authentic materials, local English materials and cultural appropriateness. In the same way, there can be the problem of finding out expert teachers to handle their teaching with ICT. Besides, the use of ICT in learning language in daily life seems effective to develop intercultural communication skills.