This book investigates the fragmented development of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) by establishing its historical and interdisciplinary foundations. Michael Levy, an expert in applied linguistics and educational technology, synthesizes existing research with data from an international survey of practitioners to create a unified framework. He argues that understanding the computer's dual role as both a tutor and a tool is essential for bridging the gap between theoretical models and practical classroom application.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text that successfully organizes the disparate history of the field into a coherent academic structure. Readers frequently note the scholarly density of the prose, making it a primary resource for researchers and graduate students in applied linguistics.