Computers VS. Teachers for ESL Students

Are teachers really needed for ESL students? Couldn’t we just have these students use computer software to learn English? After all, the software, especially if it came in story, game, or social networking format might be very engaging for students.  The question, “Can computers replace English teachers?” is being asked at TESOL  conferences. In a comment on the blog Athens Learning (Larry M. Lynch, ETL Teacher Trainer and college professor in Columbia), the answers are: “Are you kidding” and “Ain’t no way Jose.”  Even though most would agree that we need real life English teachers to interact with ESL students, teacher methods are evolving to include tech tools such as texting, video, and chat. The blog entry suggests that classrooms be linked to resources from museums, government agencies, libraries, corporations—all organizations that can provide help.