The great majority of our students are familiar with technology. As such, instructors must stay updated and incorporate technological media into their lesson plans. The Spanish Basic Language Program at Penn State achieves this goal with the use of PowerPoints for weekly classes. To supplement weekly instruction, students are also expected to complete weekly assignments on ANGEL, Penn State's web-based course enhancement tool. Using a web-based program serves the function of allowing students to work at their own pace in a medium with which they are familiar. Furthermore, this form of instruction allows the students to not feel pressure from their classmates which can become a deterrent for many students.
The use of technology in the classroom can reinforce the relevance of foreign language, encouraging students to apply real second language acquisition skills in a more affective environment. By including links from Spanish langauge websites, I want my students to engage in an activity which is common to them--navigating the web--through another perspective. I think any real language progress takes place only when a language learner realizes the importance of knowing another language. This goal can be achieved through the adequate use of technology in the classroom.

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