Wednesday, January 31st 2018.
WEEK: 3
RANK: 5
WEEK: 3
RANK: 5
Based on the article: "Blending Technologies in ESL Courses".
The Use of Technological Tools when Teaching
Listening Skills
After reading the article, I realized how many
issues teachers can have when blending technology with teaching. Probably one of the biggest problems teachers
may face is: the resources. In the article is mentioned that some institutions
do not have resources to implement technology in ESL classrooms. Let’s say that in Salvadorian public schools
or even private schools, audios, videos, will be used when teaching English, what
do they need to do this? They need to implement projectors, CD players, laptops,
etc. Public schools will not be able to
afford this type of technique, probably a few private schools will be able to
implement technological tools in their classrooms. This is one of the main
issues teachers can find when using newest tools to teach a foreign language.
Also, another problem is that students are used to the traditional system. In a
blended learning system students must be participatory, active and more social
with other students. Of course if you are not familiar with this, you might feel
uncomfortable. This was a problem in the article’s project because students
took time to get to know each other.
On the other hand, I believe that podcasts are
a great tool to improve listening skills because when you are studying a second
language it is necessary to listen to different accents, kind of voice, native
expressions, etc. Besides, in my opinion listening is one of the main and
challenging skills to learn a language, not only English. Why? Because “you
learn to listen” and “you listen to learn” What does this mean? As a beginner
you start getting familiar with English accents, and then you start recognizing
words, learning new vocabulary later you start developing and improving your
listening skills. That is why I believe that listening is the key to success if
you want to learn a second language.
I agree with you Pamela when you say that the biggest drawback that salvadorian EFL classrooms face is the lack of resources to equip the institutions with the necesary tools. Also, I think as well as you do that blending ICT's in the classroom provides good opportunities to develop the language, specially the listenig skills, and to make students to interact with themselves. Nice job! Congrats!
ResponderEliminarHi Pame, I agree with you.I think that with the use of this technology the process of learning become easier for the students, why? because they can have the opportunity to improve the different skills. Also, the use of podcasts is really important to students, especially with the beginners.Furthermore, with the use of ICT the job of the teachers can be easier too.
ResponderEliminarHi Pamela, what you mentioned is so true! currently in our country teachers do not have the necessary tools to implement technology at the classroom all the time; the big challenge is there because student can not interact correctly and openly with the technology so they find difficult to adapt themselves to new educational models. Good Job.
ResponderEliminarHi Pamela, what you mentioned is so true! currently in our country teachers do not have the necessary tools to implement technology at the classroom all the time; the big challenge is there because student can not interact correctly and openly with the technology so they find difficult to adapt themselves to new educational models. Also, it can be bad if students do not interact too much in real life but also it can be good if some of them can be comfortable with these method as when they are shy or they do not like to interect too much with others, we can obtain the best side of them in these way. Good Job.
ResponderEliminar