In recent years, technology has become an essential part of everyday life, and its influence on education is impossible to ignore. Students today grow up surrounded by digital devices, which naturally affects the way they learn and process information. At the same time, English has developed into a global language, used for communication, education, and professional purposes worldwide. For these reasons, integrating technology into English language teaching is no longer optional, but necessary.
The purpose of this article is to emphasize the importance of using technology in English language teaching, combining theoretical perspectives with personal teaching experience. By integrating traditional methods with modern digital tools, English lessons can become more engaging, effective, and relevant to students’ real needs.
The Role and Benefits of Technology in English Language Teaching
Educational technology refers to the use of digital tools, resources, and platforms to support teaching and learning. Over the past decades, education has gradually shifted from a teacher-centered approach to a more student-centered one, where learners actively participate in the learning process. This shift is closely connected to the integration of technology in classrooms.
In modern English teaching, technology includes multimedia presentations, online learning platforms, educational applications, and digital collaboration tools. In my own teaching practice, even simple tools such as PowerPoint presentations or short video clips have significantly changed lesson dynamics. Students tend to be more attentive and responsive when visual and audio materials accompany textbook-based instruction.
One of the most visible benefits of using technology in English lessons is increased student motivation. I have observed that students participate more actively when grammar or vocabulary exercises are presented as online quizzes rather than traditional written tasks. Videos, songs, and short clips from real-life contexts also capture students’ attention more effectively and encourage reluctant learners to engage.
Technology also plays an important role in developing all four language skills. Audio and video materials expose learners to authentic pronunciation, accents, and intonation, which are difficult to provide through textbooks alone. In my classes, regular listening activities from online platforms led to noticeable improvements in students’ listening comprehension. Writing skills can be enhanced through digital tools such as collaborative documents, where students receive immediate feedback, while reading authentic online texts helps learners become familiar with real-world language use.
Another major advantage of technology is personalized and flexible learning. Students learn at different paces and have different learning styles, and technology allows teachers to address these differences more effectively. I have used online exercises with varying levels of difficulty, enabling stronger students to progress independently while offering additional support to those who needed it. Technology also allows students to revise materials at home and practice English beyond the classroom.
Personal Experience and Challenges in Using Technology
From my personal teaching experience, technology has contributed significantly to creating a more interactive and supportive learning environment. Multimedia presentations help students understand and retain new information more easily, especially when introducing new vocabulary or grammar topics. Online exercises used for revision and assessment increased students’ motivation and concentration, as they perceived these tasks as less stressful and more engaging.
Next, I will present an innovative teaching activity that I have done in my English classes.
Innovative Teaching Activity. Lesson: Present Simple
Innovative method: Game-based learning
Stage: Consolidation – Organizing and Connecting Information
What the teacher does What the students do Technology integration / resources
Moment 1 – Activation Reviews the general rules of the Present Simple using simple examples and quick questions. Answer orally and provide their own examples of sentences in the Present Simple.
Moment 2 – Organization Divides the class into teams and explains the rules of the quiz-based game. Organize themselves into teams, choose a team name, and prepare to answer the questions.
Moment 3 – Interactive application through games Runs the interactive game with multiple-choice questions and sentence completion tasks. Work in teams, discuss the correct options, and select the appropriate answers.
Moment 4 – Connection Provides immediate feedback and explains the correct grammar rules for more difficult questions. Correct mistakes, create their own examples, and explain their answer choices.
Moment 5 – Reflection and checking Asks 2–3 open-ended questions to check understanding. Answer individually, providing personal examples in the Present Simple.
Outcome: Students consolidate the rules and use of the Present Simple, participate actively and collaboratively, develop digital competences through interactive educational platforms, and express their ideas in English in a natural and motivating way.
However, the use of technology also presents challenges. Technical issues such as unstable internet connections or malfunctioning equipment can disrupt lessons and require immediate adaptation. Another difficulty I have encountered is the unequal access to technology among students, which makes it necessary to provide alternative tasks. Managing distractions is also essential, as digital devices can divert students’ attention if not used responsibly. From my experience, establishing clear rules and maintaining a balance between traditional and digital methods is crucial.
Conclusion
In conclusion, technology plays a vital role in modern English language teaching. When integrated thoughtfully, it enhances student motivation, supports the development of language skills, and allows for more personalized and flexible learning. Personal teaching experience confirms that technology can significantly improve lesson effectiveness and student engagement.
Nevertheless, technology should not replace traditional teaching methods, but rather complement them. The teacher’s role remains essential in selecting appropriate tools and guiding students toward meaningful and responsible use of technology. As education continues to evolve, the effective integration of technology will remain a key factor in successful English language teaching.
Works Cited
British Council. “Teaching English with Technology.” British Council, 2020.
Dudeney, Gavin, Nicky Hockly, and Mark Pegrum. Digital Literacies. Pearson, 2013.
Harmer, Jeremy. How to Teach English. Longman, 2007.
Richards, Jack C., and Theodore S. Rodgers. Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching. Cambridge University Press, 2014.
Scrivener, Jim. Learning Teaching. Macmillan Education, 2011.