Computer Simulation

The purpose of this paper is to consider the claim, often made, that computer simulation exercises provide an excellent source of speaking practice. In so doing I shall first consider the properties of computer simulations from a theoretical point of view, then describe the experience of [blank] a particular simulation with a general EFL class. On the basis of this experience, and of some very straightforward pedagogical considerations, I shall argue that the claim is justified, [blank] to a very important caveat: computer simulations can form the basis of excellent speaking exercises, provided you do not expect the computer to do all the work. Put in another way, many computer simulations only [blank] their full potential as language exercises if they are [blank] into a larger, planned, teacher-managed activity.