Microsoft Word (or simply Word) is a word processor developed by Microsoft. It was first released on October 25, 1983, under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. The earliest word processors were standalone machines, similar to electric typewriters, that debuted in the 1960s. The great advantage of these early machines over typewriters was that users could make changes without retyping the entire document. Over time, these devices acquired more advanced features, such as the ability to save documents on disks, provide elaborate formatting options, and perform spell-checking.

There is no doubt that word processors are extremely useful pieces of software, enabling teachers to produce professional-looking documents that can be printed out and used as handouts, worksheets, or electronic materials for language learners. Word-processing skills offer many advantages for foreign language teachers as well. A word processor speeds up the process of creating classroom materials and enhances the quality of the materials that can be produced. Teachers can use word processing programs to prepare, create, store, and share materials for their classes, while learners can use them both inside and outside the classroom to practice writing skills, grammar, and other language points, as well as to present their work.

In addition to word processors, PowerPoint, a popular presentation software application, is also widely used by language teachers today. Microsoft PowerPoint is a presentation program created by Robert Gaskins and Dennis Austin at a software company named Forethought, Inc. It was released on April 20, 1987, initially for Macintosh computers only. Microsoft acquired PowerPoint for $14 million three months after its release, marking Microsoft’s first significant acquisition. A new business unit for PowerPoint was established in Silicon Valley, where Forethought had been located. Microsoft PowerPoint is now one of many programs run by the company and is easily recognized by its trademark orange logo with the letter "P."

Microsoft PowerPoint offers users many ways to display information, ranging from simple presentations to complex multimedia presentations. In modern foreign language classrooms, teachers can use PowerPoint to teach entire lessons, chapters of a book, or even an entire book in one slide deck. Teachers can create or assign the creation of a complete presentation of a book, covering each chapter on a different slide. Key points of each chapter can be highlighted and taught on their respective slides. The presentation can begin with an introduction summarizing the book's content, using charts, shapes, text, and animations. It can end with a conclusion or summary, making PowerPoint particularly effective for whole-class instruction, especially when combined with an interactive whiteboard.

PowerPoint presentations can also spark interest in students by making topics more engaging. Many subjects or books may seem boring to students until they can see the excitement and purpose behind them. Presentations with visual effects and images can help create that excitement. Teachers are encouraged to add pictures and sound to Word and PowerPoint documents to make their lessons more attractive. Sound, in particular, is a useful addition to both Word documents and PowerPoint presentations, especially in language learning contexts.

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