OK…

There are literally tons of things you can do in an ESL class (or any language class) with a word processing software like MS Word.  You can have students type up reports, essays and other writing.  You can have them practice typing and develop keyboarding skills with an English based keyboard.  You can have them work on editing error-filled text that you provide them (just keep the errors to a minimum - this is a good, but daunting language task).  You can have them transcribe audio or video. 

However one general type of activity that I think is extremely valuable for langauge students who are not familiar with word processing software is to have them work on activities that let them learn about HOW TO USE the software properly and effeciently.  As I've mentioned in other posts, word processing softwares do not behave the same way between languages.  For example in Asian languages like Chinese or Japanese (and I'm sure other character based writing systems), the use of whitespace is significantly different.  Beyond that simple example, many students are simply not familiar with even the more rudimentary functions of word processing software (like using tabs, centreing text, altering font sizes & styles, and using simple tables).

With this in mind here are a few Word Processing activities that you can use in an ESL (or other) language class:

1. teach them about the various elements on the tool bars (their function and possible uses)
2. teach them about basic document-wide text formatting (e.g. margins, titles/subtitles, headers & footers, indenting etc.)
3. teach them about inserting special objects into a document (e.g. a table, pictures, clipart etc.)
4. provide a demo document on paper and have them recreate it on their own
5.  A more challenging (but VERY useful) activity would be to teach your students about the 'comment insertion' feature in MS Word that allows anyone (e.g. you as a teacher) to insert comments into a Word document.  This lets you select a portion of text and them make comments, suggestions, corrections, etc. about that text. 

There are many more ways that you can get your ESL students more aware of how to use a word processing software like MS Word more effectively.  Take a little time to become proficient yourself, and then use that knowledge to teach your students as well.  Not only will they become better writers, but they will gain the benefit of using English to learn ABOUT something.  And we all know that one of the very best, and most lasting, ways of learning is learning by doing.

Until next time.

Cheers,

Eric

PS. Drop any comments, suggestions and tips in the comments section of this post. 
 
 

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