From Zero to Hero: A Longitudinal Study of ICT Attitudes in Relation to Language Teaching in the Technology Era

Abstract

[EN] In this longitudinal study, how EFL instructors understand the use of computer technologies and their attitudes towards ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) are investigated. The aims are to define the instructors' attitudes, explain the relationship between instructors' attitudes and their ICT use, and specify the ICT needs of their language teaching using two types of data collection instruments. In the initial study conducted in 2017, the first questionnaire measured ICT use with the participants' demographic features and the second aimed to identify instructors' attitudes towards ICT. Additionally, some instructors were interviewed to get a more in-depth understanding of their attitudes and ICT use. After 7 years, the same research setting is used with the same data collection instruments to analyze the effects of technological developments of the era regarding instructors’ ICT use in language teaching and moreover, the frequency of use and familiarity with AI tools have also been analyzed in the second phase of the study. The findings reveal that nearly all participants regard ICT as an invaluable tool for their teaching and have moderately positive attitudes towards using it for professional reasons compared to the previous study results. Variables such as age, teaching experience, and computer skills play no more significant role than past data. However, instructors’ primary ICT need is still training. After the COVID-19 period, they feel more secure with their technology use due to the forced online and henceforth, hybrid teaching practices and teacher training courses supported by their institution. The results of this study have pedagogical implications for teacher education, English teachers and language schools.