ESL Students and Technology

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ESL Students and Technology

• Carolyn S. Bock
• carolynbock_at_hotmail.com
• EDUC 509
• Computers and Technology
• Holy Family University
• Summer II, 2003
• July 28, 2003

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OVERVIEW

• Conclusions of ESL Students and Technology
• Research articles point out importance of
  technology for ESL students
• Icebreaker and activity websites for teachers to
  use during Morning Meetings
• Lesson plan websites for teachers
• Grammar websites for ESL students
• General (and fun!) websites for ESL students

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Conclusions of Research

• ESL Students need to have opportunities to
  utilize technology in the classroom
• ESL teachers can access various websites for
  lesson plan ideas, community building activities,
  and grammar practice opportunities
• ESL students can access various sites for grammar
  practice, job searches, and connections among
  other ESL students

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Types of Technology in ESL Classroom

• Word processing
• E-mail
• Computer software
• The Internet

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Advantages of Technology

• Interactive nature of multimedia provides new
  ways to enhance learning experiences of ESL
  students
• Text, graphics, video, and audio encourage
  immersion in language
• Nonjudgmental aspect of technology is comforting
  to ESL students
• The individualization, instant feedback, and
  assessment components of many software packages
  are all positive factors
• Students feel motivated when using new, emerging
  technologies
• Students feel empowered and content is more
  accessible to them

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MORNING MEETINGS

• Promote a sense of classroom community
• Encourage students to get to know each other
• Promote communication and interaction between
  students
• Allow students the opportunity to practice the
  language and at the same time, share their own
  unique culture
• See http//www.eslflow.com/ for ideas

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ESLFLOW.COM

• Last Letter to practice vocabulary and spelling
• Chinese Whispers to encourage fluency and
  pronunciation
• Fast Words to encourage vocabulary and spelling
• Word Association to encourage connections
  between vocabulary words

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Lesson Plan Websites

• Example site Teacher Lesson Plan-Absolute
  Beginner ESL English , http//esl.about.com/librar
  y/beginner/blabsolute_intro.htm
• Provides 20 points necessary to cover for an
  absolute beginner English speaker
• Examples Appropriate greetings, counting from
  1-100, giving name and personal information
• Connects each point to a specific lesson plan

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Grammar Practice

• Example site Activities for ESL/EFL Students
  http//a4esl.org/
• Students can take quizzes on previously learned
  skills
• Students can individualize some quizzes according
  to their needs easy, difficult, challenging
• Students can practice lessons individually as
  teachers conference one-on-one
• Students can access this practice at home or at
  school

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General Websites for ESL Students

• Example Site Interesting Things for ESL/EFL
  Students http//www.manythings.org
• Students can take quizzes and practice grammar
  skills
• Students can learn American expression such as
  bent out of shape, and catch some rays

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General Websites for ESL Students (continued)

• Example Site Daves Café http//www.eslcafe.com
  /
• offers information on job searching along with
  open e-mail forums as well as more grammar skill
  practice and ideas for ESL teachers
• ESL students can chat about movies, food,
  hobbies, and current news
• ESL teachers can chat about employment
  opportunities, adult education, and computer
  software

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Conclusions

• Technology should be part of an ESL students
  curriculum
• Students can access sites to practice academic
  skills
• Teachers can access sites to find lesson plan
  ideas, community building ideas, and general
  information about ESL needs

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REFERENCES

• 1. Use of Technology with ESL Students
  (research article) http//www.gsu.edu/mstmbs/IT
  8420/F99/MaryM1.html
• Morning Meeting Activities http//www.eslflow.co
  m
• Lesson Plan Ideas http//esl.about.com/library/b
  eginner/blabsolute_intro.htm
• Activities for ESL Students http//a4esl.org
• Interesting Things for ESL Students
  http//www.maythings.org