A book by University of Queensland lecturer Dr Mike Levy seems to have filled a global niche as the definitive text on computer-assisted language learning (CALL).
The book, published last year by the academic arm of Oxford University Press, is now being used around the world, according to Dr Levy, of the Centre for Language Teaching and Research.
It has just been reprinted in England after a surge in sales over the last three months and has now sold more than 1400 copies in paperback plus around 240 in hardback. The publishers have already asked Dr Levy about preparing a second edition next year.
Although computers have been part of language teaching since the 1960s, Dr Levy described CALL as an "emerging discipline" and certainly a fragmented one, with people doing their own research at universities all over the world.
"The book builds bridges between those islands while seeking to establish historical and inter-disciplinary perspectives on computer-assisted language learning," he said.
A major theme through the book is Dr Levy's belief that computers can be valuable tutors and tools for language learning. "In the role of the tutor, the computer provides feedback; in the role of tool it does not," he said.
"Since computer tutors are more directive, they must be treated with caution as the feedback must always be timely and accurate. Students tend to believe what the computer tells them.
"On the other hand, computer tools such as the word processor and email do not evaluate. Here the challenge is to come up with suitable tasks that will engage the language learner and enrich the language learning process," Dr Levy said.
"The role of the computer should not be confused with the role of the teacher. The computer is very good for some things but it cannot and should not be thought of as a replacement for the language teacher.
"For example, it is not good at evaluating language pronunciation. For that you are always going to need people.
"Some extravagant claims have been made about computers and computer intelligence but these are misleading and demeaning to the reputation of language teachers."
Dr Levy has studied the use of computers in helping to teach all languages, including English, and believes modern technology enriches the process.
There are a huge number of computer programs, many of which can be adapted by teachers and students who might want to add their own material, such as videos, sound, graphics, colour or different texts.
"The computer can help make language and culture come alive, make it a lot more interesting and consequently motivate students to a much greater extent. It can make language learning more enjoyable, a fun experience," he said.
Computer programs can help fluency by simulating situations and allowing students to rehearse scenarios such as going to a restaurant or shopping.
New technology also opens up other vast possibilities. For example, Dr Levy said through the Internet students could read the latest issues of overseas newspapers, while email allowed them to "talk" to students and other people all over the world.
Dr Levy holds a degree in mathematics, a PhD in computer-assisted language learning and diplomas in education and computing. He taught English for three years in Kuwait and another three years in Tokyo.
At the University his job is to teach language teachers - at certificate, diploma and masters levels- how to make the most confident and appropriate use of modern technology.
For the past 12 years he has been editor of On-CALL, the Australian Journal of Computers and Language Education which provides a forum for research, development and practice of CALL in this country and overseas.
His expertise in the field of computers in language education recently took him around the world.
In April he was invited to give a keynote address at the annual conference of the Regional English Language Centre in Singapore.
From there he went on to the U.K. where a research project meant visiting seven universities including Abertay, at Dundee, in Scotland, where he was invited to give a talk on CALL.
The trip was designed to gather information towards a multi-media CD Dr Levy is making to improve the conversational skills of non-English speakers coming to Australia.
He arrived back in Brisbane at the end of May and was immediately caught up in preparations for WorldCALL, the inaugural world conference on computer-assisted language learning held in Melbourne from July 13 to 17.
Besides presenting a paper at this conference and contributing to two symposia, Dr Levy was on three organising committees for the event which attracted more than 300 delegates from 28 countries.
For further information, contact Dr Mike Levy (telephone 3365 6911) or email: mlevy@cltr.uq.edu.au:8000/users/mike.levy/ or visit the Web site:http://www.cltr.uq.edu.au:8000/users/mike.levy/
