Improving English language and computer literacy skills in an adult refugee program

Abstract

The study reported in this article explores ways of improving English language proficiency and computer literacy skills of adult refugees in a community program. For the adult refugee program, two main issues were considered and addressed: (1) the teaching of English as a second language (ESL) to adults with very limited English language proficiency and (2) the development of computer literacy skills of adults with no or very little computer experience. Main teaching strategies used for this focus group were repetition, incidental learning and the use of freeware such as games and word puzzles downloaded from the Internet. By examining data collected from questionnaires, interviews and tests, the study looks at and discusses the opportunity of using the computer as an educational tool during contact sessions and participants’ experience with computer-assisted language learning (CALL) activities. The results of the study indicate that the computer can be used to encourage participants in a refugee program to engage with their learning and online activities are helpful for them in improving their English language proficiency and computer literacy skills.