CALL Authoring software - a WIDA produced Vocabulary game.

Focusing in the favourable area of teaching vocabulary, this basic yet effective Language learning program is developed by the English program designers : WIDA, and the application is aimed at young adult learners with potential of appealing to a slightly older age group. A main advantage of this application is its nature- use and classroom learning or even lab learning takes place in the form of a game interface where students engage in a series of games (6 in total) comprising of mindword; skullman (a revised version of the traditional hang man game) and word order just to name a few. Initially students are introduced to the newly acquired material i.e the weather, in the home etc.; they are then provided with practice opportunities by mediating between a particular word; a clozed-like sentence and a "hint" sentence.

In an effort to providing an insight to one of the six games: Word order - words within the context sentence are purposely scrambled to enable learners to choose the one and only response. The hint sentence provides overall clue and the correct answer can be checked at any time. There are six words to choose from and advancement is only permitted by choosing correct word. Teacher intervention is evident by assigning and updating existing list(s) to program and like most current coursework, games can be suited to current unit(s) of work along with scaffolding tasks in the form of homework tasks. The program is also compatible with a print-out feature which enables teachers to generate printed templates of the games for further self-study.

In addition, the application can adapt a desired Vocabulary list in accordance to any of the available games. By doing so, learners have the freedom of concentrating on a particular vocabulary whilst being exposed to a fun yet interactive array of games.

Students can also take advantage of the picture and sound application which can be attached to any word in accordance to the difficulty employed. WIDA Vocabulary is also compatible with both PC and Mac, and download samples are also available prior to full-package purchase.