Benefits and limitations of using information-communication technology (ICT) in English lessons in primary school – literature review
The new core curriculum of foreign language education for primary school in Poland states that the main goal of education is the ability to communicate effectively, both in speaking and writing. To achieve this goal, the curriculum emphasises the significance of using authentic materials and information-communication technology (ICT) in English lessons.
The paper aims at analysing both the benefits of using ICT and its limitations. In the introduction, the author describes core curriculum for primary education highlighting the necessity to develop key competencies among pupils and points out to those fragments that indicate the importance of ICT in foreign language education, defines what ICT exactly means as referred to education, and gives some examples of technology-based tools and materials. The article also list developmental features of early education pupils and explains what it means for foreign language learning. Later the features of so-called ‘generation Alpha’ or ‘Digital Natives’ are listed and clarified. Finally, the paper presents the benefits and drawbacks of using ICT in foreign language teaching and learning. The author concludes with specifying the challenges English teachers as ‘Digital Immigrants’ must face in teaching students who belong to a different generation and enumerates the new roles educators must adopt in order to successfully tutor children.
Keywords: early education, key competencies, ICT, benefits and limitations, Digital Natives
