CALL

Computer-assisted language learning (CALL), British, or Computer-Aided Instruction (CAI)/ Computer-Aided Language Instruction (CALI), American, is briefly defined in a seminal work by Levy (1997: p. 1) as "the search for and study of applications of the computer in language teaching and learning". CALL embraces a wide range of information and communications technology applications and approaches to teaching and learning foreign languages, from the "traditional" drill-and-practice programs that characterised CALL in the 1960s and 1970s to more recent manifestations of CALL, e.g. as used in a virtual learning environment and Web-based distance learning. It also extends to the use of corpora and concordancers, interactive whiteboards,^[3] Computer-mediated communication (CMC), learning in virtual worlds, and mobile-assisted language learning (MALL). 

The term CALI (computer-assisted language instruction) was in use before CALL, reflecting its origins as a subset of the general term CAI (computer-assisted instruction). CALI fell out of favour among language teachers, however, as it appeared to imply a teacher-centred approach (instructional), whereas language teachers are more inclined to prefer a student-centred approach, focusing on learning rather than instruction. CALL began to replace CALI in the early 1980s (Davies & Higgins 1982: p.3) and it is now incorporated into the names of the growing number of professional associations worldwide. 

Advantages of CALL

Learner’s Factors

• CALL can adapt to the learners' abilities and preferences.

• CALL can adapt to the learners’ cognitive and learning styles.
• CALL can adapt to the learner’s self-paced learning. CALL can be used for remedial work for slow learners and to accelerate learning for fast learners.
• CALL offers individualized and private learning.
• CALL, with branching capability, provides choices and paths for learning, allowing learners to work independently.
• CALL allows learners to control their own learning process and progress.

source: 

wikipedia

http://web.warwick.ac.uk/CELTE/tr/ovCALL/booklet1.htm