In his work Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, Prensky (2001) claims that our students think and learn differently from their teachers because, while the former are digital language native speakers, the latter have, at best, learnt their digital language as a foreign language. Thus, while our students have native speaker intuition, teachers do not. My reaction to…
This week I recieved an email invitation to test “Frantastique” for free with the Institut Francais. Frantastique is onlone French lessons, delivered daily through an email, a story and personalised correction: http://www.frantastique.com/ This is the small type: “Every day, you’ll receive a selection of exercises, texts, dialogues, and mini-lessons in French. These include original stories…
In his work, Interaction, Negotiation, and Computer-Mediated Learning, Warschauer (1998) discusses the cross-section of language learning theory and Computer-Mediated Learning (CML or CMC) practice. Similar to Blake (2008), Warschauer proves the validity of using technology in the classroom based on the language learning theories of input, output and socio-cultural perspectives. Background According to Krashen (1981;…
In his seminal work, Brave New Digital Classroom: Technology and Foreign Language Learning, Blake (2008), suggests that the existence of four dominant myths disrupts the adoption of technology in the language learning classroom. These myths claim that Technology… – is Monolithic – Constitutes a Methodology – Is All We Need to Know – Will Replace…
Interview Background Having just started an (MA) in Digital Technologies for Language Teaching, I thought it would be fitting to enquire about how new technologies have impacted my mother’s teaching career. Mum has worked within Adult Education, at University level and in the Further Education system, going from teaching Fitness Training to devising an Exercise…
OpenLearn is the home for free learning from the Open Unviersity: OpenLearn – http://http://www.open.edu/openlearn/ OpenLearn Works is an online educational platform where individuals can publish their open content, open courses and resources. It has tools for collaboration and reuse giving all the opportunity to browse, choose and learn: OpenLearn Works – http://http://www.open.edu/openlearnworks/
Every week I meet with my Chinese friend, Ginger, to practice Chinese (& English). She is a Teacher Trainer for primary school teachers of English in Beijing. As we are education “obsessives”, no matter how hard we try to find new topics to discuss, we always end up talking about teaching and learning. Even before…
Yesterday, I was forwarded a questionnaire for anyone interested in high quality Chinese language classes for professionals in Beijing: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SFWY8H9 Why would this school ask about this topic now? Well, it seems currently private language schools are in a transition period, moving from teacher-centred to student-centred learning. And perhaps the content of most university courses…
Having taken HSK Level 4 last year, I am planning to HSK Level 5 asap! Well, I say that, and it will take some time to learn the extra 1300 words necessary to give me at least a chance of passing. (HSK 4 = 1200 words, HSK 5 = 2500 words). In order to get…
