This paper examines the relationship between Information Technology (IT) and an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course. This relationship is examined in the context of pre-sessional summer courses at British Universities. The paper provides a rationale for the inclusion of an IT component on an EAP course, and considers why a number of IT areas are not yet being fully exploited by EAP units at British Universities.

Has the time come to re-evaluate the role of the teacher in technology-enhanced language learning (TELL)? Studies into Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and TELL have tended to focus on issues relating to learner/computer interaction or learner/learner interaction mediated via the computer (eg Warschauer 1996: 7–26). Relatively little research has been undertaken to try and understand how technology can best be used for language acquisition (cf. Matthews 1994: 35–401a or Zähner 1995: 34–481b) particularly at a distance, to improve both the effectiveness of the learning and the learner's enjoyment of it. Indeed those studies which have been undertaken have tended to be inconclusive (cf. Pedersen 1987). This paper attempts to begin to redress the balance by focusing on teaching and learning issues related to technology mediated distance language acquisition, with particular emphasis on the role of the teacher. The findings in this paper are based on the pilot phase of the Language Learning Network, a project to design, deliver and evaluate a technology mediated-vocational distance language course. With distance learning, as with classroom-based courses, communication with and support from the tutor is considered paramount. The project has established models for regular synchronous and asynchronous contact with tutors, provided in the context of time and budgetary constraints. Having validated the courses for accreditation and wider distribution on a commercial and part-time studies basis, much attention has been paid to the questions of learner support, assessment and quality assurance.

The effort to develop CALL can be thought of as progressing through three eras. In the first era, the technology itself led the way; constraints on hardware and software dictated the pedagogical uses to which we could put the machinery. In the second era - where we still find ourselves - language teaching leads the way. In the third era - the golden age of CALL - it will be language learning which motivates and controls the development of the whole effort, but we are not there yet. (I shall discuss in more detail why I believe that current developments in ‘learner-centred’ and ‘learner-controlled’ activities on the computer do not as yet really qualify as computer-assisted language learning.)

In September 1995 the Language Institute at the University of Hull and British Telecommunications plc began working together on a major research project with the aim developing an environment to support distance teaching and learning. Project MERLIN is exploring the latest commincations techologies to support interaction and collaboration between groups of remote learners, and between these learneers and their tutor. These technologies include: computer conferencing, dynamic HTML and the integration of specifically designed database and telephone-conferencing facilities with the World Wide Web interface.

This paper takes the form of a proposal for a computer mediated language course delivered at a distance and administered jointly by two different institutions, the universities of British Columbia (UBC) and Auckland (UA). It examines the possible institutional context(s), the target group, gives a course description with a list of learning objectives, curriculum topics, a description of the course's epistemology, design, development plan, delivery methods and student support, and offers a justification for the development of the course. In conclusion, the paper looks into the possible strengths of such a course as well as the challenges of implementation.

The retrieval of information by electronic means can involve several media: remote searching of large commercially-produced databases, utilising CD-ROM and multimedia applications, and electronic mail. Both the information retrieval techniques used in this process and the information retrieved are of relevance to those involved in computer-assisted language learning.