Using the computer to teach
reading comprehension skills
Roland R. Nyns
This article claims that despite the shortcomings of current software for
Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), the computer is an
adequate medium of teaching (some) reading comprehension skills. The
author stresses using the computer as a tool at the teacher’s disposal, as
opposed to using the computer as a surrogate teacher. Three examples of
exercises which are part of a semi-structured CALL system are given,
following which there is a short description of how users have access to a
database system which is designed to correspond to a student population’s
specific vocabulary requirements, while keeping the teacher informed of
these.