I often get asked by teachers (usually new teachers, or those who are new to using computer technology in their classes), about how they can connect a language lesson and computer technology.

Like so many questions of this kind there is simply no easy answer.  Well there is, but it is a somewhat unsatisfactory - "it depends on what you want to accomplish".  In general however I think there are three 'types' of lessons or activities that you can run if you are looking to include computers in your lessons.  I list them below with a couple of examples of each.  Hopefully this will help you get a few more brain cells working on your own ways to implement technology in your language classes that are comfortable for you and your students.

Where Computer Technology  is simply a by-product or a tool

In this case the role of computers and related technologies (e.g. sound recorders, video cameras etc.) is secondary to the main part of the lesson which focuses on the language.

• Have students develop a skit that they act out in class.  You can then record skits on video or audio and publish on net or CDs for each student.
• Making use of audio/video resources available online  (think WAY outside ESL activities, and focus on natural, native English).  For example using online audio sources (iTunes based podcasts for example) as a source of natural English on a theme you're teaching.
• Using the net for research - either for yourself, or for your students.
• Regular reading/writing schemes.  Reading a specific blog, writing a student/teacher blog, tracking news stories on multiple news sites for differences (e.g. bbc.co.uk vs. cnn.com vs. chinadaily.com.cn)

Meta-awareness of Technology

With meta awareness style activities you are working on the language and use of the technology itself as a topic.

• How to search effectively. Many students are not familiar with using English language search engines like google and yahoo, nor are they aware of common, yet simple search functions (e.g. and, or, quotes etc.)
• Online Jargon/slang
• Proper etiquette/netiquette
• Proper email composition - this is something EVERY student could benefit from.  I don't konw how many emails I get from students with subjects like "heheheh" or "help me" and no name/signature
• Proper use of MS Word - Many non-English word processing softwares work quite differently than MS word/Word Perfect.
• General internet/computer vocabulary and language
• Basic online safetly

Using computers for language use/practice

In many cases when you start using computers and digital technologies as a means of language practice a certain amount of meta-awareness teaching is involved.  However the main goal of the types of activities listed below is to use the technology as a means of producing/publishing language.

• Developing and maintaining websites or blogs
• Regulary English Chat/Forum/Email discussions
• Research challenges/scavenger hunts
• Developing presentations (for example using PowerPoint)
• Oral/aural practice

Using Language Training Software (the bonus area)

This is fairly simple to understand.  All you are doing is using pre-made software packages like pronunciation power, eyespeak, Rosetta Stone (which I don't  recommend for anything but public school use or similar age groups).  There are literally hundreds of software packages out there, some of which I'll write about in future posts.

Have some other suggestions to add?  Leave them in a comment so everyone can benefit.

Cheers,

Eric

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