Trying to Get English Language Learners and Fluent English Speakers to Interact through Student Created Book CDs and Online Discussions
Oct 31, 2014
Trying to Get English Language Learners and
Fluent English Speakers to Interact through Student Created Book CDs and
Online Discussions
About my learning as much as my students’ learning
• Taking my understanding about how students learn a new language
• Applying to what I’m learning about computer technologies
Teaching English through Reading Has Changed• 40 years ago, most books for
English language learners had controlled vocabulary and grammatical structures.
• Today, English language learners are using books written for fluent English speakers.
The understanding of language learning has changed
Language Learningrequires using the language for communication
Skill Development alone (isolating and practicing skills needed to create language) is not language learning.
Language Learning Requires Input and Output
Output - the brain needs to use that information to communicate (normally through speaking or writing).
Input - Information needs to get into the brain (normally through reading and/or listening)
Language Learning is Messy
Our Reading ProjectBased on the belief that…
• Input for language learning can be more effective if input it is BOTH reading AND listening.
• Since output requires using language for communication, interacting with others is important.
Our Reading Project
1. Fluent English speaking students record books the English language learners are reading.
2. The audio files are put together to create book CDs for the English learners.
3. The fluent English speakers participate in an online discussion about the books with the English learners.
Our Reading Project
To Do This Project I Needed:
• Training
• Software
• Hardware
• Collaborators
• Time
• A belief that it’s worth the effort
Our Reading Project
Training
• From the NWP Tech Liaison sessions at the annual meetings
• Tech Liaison online discussions
• The Tech Matters summer institute
Our Reading Project - Software
Chose Audacity for recording audio files.
Used iTunes or Windows Media Player to create CD master
Chose Nicenet for book discussion
Our Reading Project - Hardware
For Recording
For duplicating
CDs
For listening to CDs
Our Reading Project - Collaborators
An English 12 Class
Our Reading Project - Collaborators
An Intermediate ESL Class
Our Reading Project - Recordings
Tucket 1
Tucket 2
Tucket 3
Tucket 4
Tucket 5
Tucket 6
6 Slower
Just like language learning, learning how to do this project messy.
Our Project - Listening and Reading
Why reading is hard
How the CD helps
Our Project - Discussion