Using the Internet for Second Language Learning

Presentation for TESOL-Spain '98

by: Cathy Hall

The Internet provides a variety of resources for second language learning, e.g., e-mail, newsgroups, MOOs, the World Wide Web. This presentation will discuss the different resources available on the Internet, look at the various ways they can be integrated into the ESL curriculum, and discuss their pedagogical implications, i.e., based on the instructional objectives, what types of activities do we want to use email for and why? The presentation will also discuss netiquette, general problems teachers can expect when using the Internet, e.g., an overabundance of material which can disorient a learner, and teacher responsibilities, e.g., students need to be taught how to use e-mail before they can be expected to use it and teachers need to be very structured about what they want their learners to achieve on a MOO. The last part of the presentation will give participants the opportunity to brainstorm ways of using the Internet in their own classes while the presenter circulates around the room providing help, suggestions, and ideas.

Teacher Resources
Student Activities
Activity Building or Discussion
Web-Based Learning Environments
Other Resources for Reference

Teacher Resources

Student Activities

Internet Resources
	E-mail
	Student Listserv or Newsgroup - This is the same idea of a listserv or newsgroup except it is only for your class. In this way the teacher can more easily distribute information, handouts, and materials. It is also a place where the class can have a group discussion (possibly as a preview to an in-class discussion), do collaborative writing activities, discuss projects they are working on, or review the messages posted for grammar mistakes, etc. Class mailing lists or newsgroups need to be set up by the computer lab staff and function in the same way as regular listservs and newsgroups in that mailing lists go directly to the students e-mail account and newsgroups do not.
	The World Wide Web (WWW)
How to adapt resources for classroom use
	Real-time Chatting - Synchronous chatting is a valuable way for learners to practice their writing skills for communicative purposes and it gives the learners a real audience for their writing, i.e., the teacher isn't the only one to see their work. Studies indicate that this type of synchronous chatting greatly helps improve not only learners' writing skills but also their oral fluency skills.
	Dialogue journals - This is a new twist on the dialogue journal. Instead of students turning in hand-written journals, they e-mail them to the teacher. Since the journals can be emailed any time during the week, it can help keep the teacher from receiving a lot of journals at the same time. Teachers have found students wrote greater amounts, asked more questions, and used different language functions more frequently when writing dialogue journals through e-mail.
	Teacher/Student meetings - Many students find it difficult to consult their teacher about a problem or question they may have. By giving your e-mail address and letting them know this is another way they may contact you provides them with more power to express themselves. Many teachers have found that students contact them much more frequently and are more open and communicative in their contacts, especially shy students.
	Students created web pages
	E-mail Projects - These are projects carried out with ESL classes participating from various countries. Groups are usually comprised of students from each of the different classes/countries participating so all work will be carried out in the target language and through email. For more information, contact Ruth Vilmi at project@hut.fi.
	Presentation of student collaborated work
Teacher responsibilities
	Netiquette
	Ensure learners know how to use resources
	Emoticons

Activity Building or Discussion

Web-Based Learning Environments

Other Resources for Reference

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