Approches to Language learning

ACRONYMS AND ATTITUDES\

 This field has gone by a number of different names as groups of practitioners have attempted to promote their own views and philosophies, in some cases in an attempt to distance the field from tutorial CALL, which is sometimes regarded as incompatible with interactionist and social constructivist approaches to language teaching. The list below is representative but not exhaustive.

• CALL - Computer-assisted language learning, sometimes expanded as computer-aided language learning 
• CELL -  Computer-enhanced language learning: suggests the computer's role is to make learning better  
• TELL - Technology-enhanced language learning: this accommodates more than just computers, often bringing in video and seeing the computer as just one part of a larger system. It is increasingly popular as a generic term: for instance, while TESOL has a CALL Interest Section, California TESOL has a TELL Interest Group.
• TALL -  Technology-assisted language learning: variant of CALL and TELL
• CALI -  Computer-assisted language instruction: with "instruction" in it, it's more teaching oriented 
• CBLT -  Computer-based language training: views elements of language learning as "training" and tends to use an approach with definable, measurable objectives
• IT and ICT -  Information Technology/Information and Communication Technologies are common acronyms outside of language teaching, particularly in Europe; sometimes this is presented as IT or ICT for LT (Language Teaching)
• NBLT - Network-Based Language Teaching: focuses on computers linked in networks, both locally and through the Internet, especially for computer-mediated communication
• DLL - Digital Language Learning: a relatively new term encompassing computers and other digital devices
• MALL - Mobile Assisted Language Learning: learning with mobile devices  like mobile phones, tablets, and mp3 players (sometimes also used for Multimedia Assisted language Learning)