Longman English interactive: A complete CALL curriculum

Abstract

This article evaluates Longman English Interactive, levels 2 and 3, American English CD-based software by Michael Rost and Marjorie Fuchs (2003). In April 2005, the Department of English at Japan Women's University (JWU) implemented a new curriculum for its required, one-year language lab course for English major freshmen utilizing this software. Before this change, the class was taught using two, listening-based textbooks.

According to the publisher, the Longman English Interactive software "is a multi- level, video-based, integrated-skills program that includes more than 100 hours of instruction per level." In addition, it "provides practice in grammar, speaking, listening, vocabulary, pronunciation, reading, and writing" and "students develop essential skills as they work with: contemporary and engaging video, audio, animations" and "extensive practice activities." However, since Longman English Interactive is a self-study software package, the challenge was how to implement it in a language lab setting with a teacher as a facilitator.