LITERATURE REVIEW:

Learning with the help of emerging technologies is not new, but the use of these technologies in the classrooms especially in ESL/EFL classes is spreading widely throughout the world. Impact of emerging technologies on ESL classes is one of the hot debates today in English learning contexts. Many researchers are making different sort of studies to observe these impacts on learning especially language learning. A study conducted on the students of The Euclid City School (ECS) has observed that iPads for them were compulsory part of their learning. They incorporated them in drama study and especially vocabulary learning with the help of app known as WORDFLICK. With the help of iPads, they focused on meaningful work and teachers got more frequent chances of giving feedback on students writing skill in time. That study observed use of ipads was the most important and powerful source of excitement for learning for students. Students with iPads were more engaged to studies because they were having feeling of self motivation and self-directed studies as compare to those controlled students who do not have iPads (Unlocking Literacy with iPad by Jim Harmon). A detailed study on how APPLE technologies can be beneficial in learning for students having sensory and learning disabilities has been made by Trisha OConnell, Geoff Freed, and Madeleine Rothberg Carl and Ruth Shapiro , Family National Center for Accessible MediavWGBH Educational Foundation. That study concludes that advanced and universal features and apps of APPLE technology especially designed for learning purposes are helping disable learners a lot, both sensory and learning disables, in classes as well as at homes. Students, teachers and parents are exploring new techniques and methodologies to meet the needs of getting benefits from such apps and technologies as much as possible which is further opening new doors to researchers. The notable point is that if mobiles or iPads are not an explicit part of the classrooms even then learners are making their own devices an essential part of their learning on their own, especially language learners. Teachers are also interesting to make emerging technologies as an essential part of ESL learning but there are some limitations to do this, e.g., reluctant school policies, lack of

professional support and training and off course high prices of these devices (Timothy Gorichanaz: 2001). Rosell-Aguilar (2007:481) notes that Having audio or video online is not new, but what is innovative is to provide it as stand-alone items for independent learning delivered direct to your computer or portable media player. Few researchers have conducted research on different methodologies and polices of using different technologies in learning. The other side of the issue is that emerging technologies are not only beneficial for language learning but due to them learners also face many technical problems. George Chinnery(2006) surveyed that learners use mobiles for vocabulary learning, quizes, online learning and learning through emails, file sharing, video playback , mp3s etc. He also reported that there are technical issues, e.g., small, low resolution screens, poor audio quality, limited memory of these devices, internet connectivity problems which create hurdles for learners in learning with different emerging technologies. But now a day situation is much better because there is remarkable rise in the development of these technologies. Now advanced mobiles like APPLE and ANDROID etc have a larger, high resolution screens, powerful processors, more space for internal memory and fast internet connectivity which make use of these technologies not only easy but also very beneficial for language learners. A number of apps are being used for language learning which have made learning not only easy but also very interesting and access able for distant learners as well. Many researchers have studied the use of mobile phones in building new vocabulary and idioms learning in ESL classes. Now a day many students give preferences to use mobiles, iPads or tablets etc instead of using desktop PCs. Learning through emails especially transfer of content is emerging on high scale now a days. But some studies have concluded that most of the times emails are best source of data or content transfer as compare to learning through them so they are not as beneficial as thought as far as learning is concerned. Skype and Multimedia are also being used now a day frequently in ESL classes. Audio and video devices are being used in listening and speaking activities. Many teachers and researchers are studying to find out different techniques and methodologies to use different technologies in the classrooms to get more and more advantages from these emerging technologies. In short, mobile phones, handheld computers, tablet PCs, MP3 players and podcasting, digital voice recorders and multi function mini camcorders etc are all being used in learning especially in ESL/EFL classes. The use of emerging technologies has very significant impacts on language learning.