Employing new technology in english language teaching learning at al- Quds open university

الملخص EN

This study aimed to explore the feasibility of using new technologies in Teaching / learning EFL at Al- Quds Open University (QOU).

For this purpose, two questionnaires were developed and distributed amongst (122) fourth year English major students and (33) EFL tutors.

The study revealed that most EFL tutors and students at QOU felt highly motivated, had the basic computer skills, showed strong preference, and pinned high expectations on using new technologies in their EFL classes.

According to the study, about half of EFL tutors and students had easy access to computers.

But the majority of them highlighted the scarcity of educational software, and EFL students expressed more concern than their tutors about time limitations.

Although EFL tutors and students found the technologies available in their study centers motivating and auxiliary for developing their learning tools and language skills, active use of new technologies in EFL learning / teaching is not satisfactory, and the levels of confidence in the currently- used print materials and methods are still strong.

In the light of these mixed results, theoretically speaking, the ground seems to be paved for QOU administration to embark on the project of incorporating e- learning into its EFL teaching- cum- learning process.

However, practically speaking, given the technical, economic, social, and cultural constraints brought up by some EFL students, the study recommends that QOU should, at least at this early stage, combine new technologies with the current mode of teaching and learning.

Using such a blend with its EFL learners, QOU can give them the freedom to choose their preferred media.

Once the required technologies, efficient Internet services and educational software of high quality are all secured, and EFL tutors and students become properly trained and accustomed to using new technologies, more daring steps towards the integration of new technologies into EFL learning / teaching at the expense of currently used methods can be taken.