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 1 a particular simulation with a general EFL class. On the basis of this 2, and of some very straightforward pedagogical considerations, I shall argue that the claim is justified, 3 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 4 their full potentialanguage exercises if they are 5 into a larger, planned, teacher-managed activity.