Teaching English as an Additional Language (EAL) Capabilities using Edublogs & web tools.

Image taken by Alejandro Escamilla and shared on Unsplash

Image taken by Alejandro Escamilla and shared on Unsplash

Teaching and learning collaboratively- blogging

In this lesson, students will read Ann Michaelson’s  students’ blogs. How do they learn English? What web tools and online resources do they consider useful? Students research other online learning tools and sites and then post a comment on one of the Norwegian student’s posts.

Students start with creating an individual Edublogs site and writing an About Me page.

In this learning activity, students will explore two capabilities from the EAL subject outline in the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)

1. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability

There is a focus in English as an Additional Language on ICT; developing students’ capabilities through the use of digital and multimodal texts, including social media communication, in personal and professional contexts; Students develop their capability for communication by learning to communicate within and across cultures, taking into consideration the social and cultural contexts of the situation.

2. Intercultural Understanding Capability

English as an Additional Language develops an intercultural capability that includes an understanding of diversity and difference, and openness to different perspectives and experiences that, in turn, develop world-mindedness, respect for the rights of others, and a sense of global citizenship.

Lesson Plan

How can you improve your English and become an independent learner?

With a partner think of ways you can improve your English.

  • How can you avoid grammar mistakes and how can you work on your vocabulary?
  • What is a good way to work on your pronunciation?
  • How do you prefer to work in English class?
  • How can you show your teachers your work for feedback?

Try out the different websites suggested here and report to the class and share your findings.

  1. What does the app or website do?
  2. Give instructions on how to use it. Is it easy to use?
  3. How can students use it and how does it benefit your learning?

Write your first blog post

Before you write your first blog post, read what Ann Michaelsen’s students have written about different digital resources and other aids in language learning. The links to their blogs are on Ann’s Home Page. Search for their post on How To Improve your English.

  1. With a partner read two blogs.
  2. Now write your blog post. Reflect on your learning. Include thoughts and insights from the rest of your group and class. We will scaffold a comment in class to understand and analyse how language features are used to communicate for different purposes. (EAL Learning Outcome)
  3. Write a comment back to one of the Norwegian students. Start by introducing yourself and make a positive comment on their information. Sharing your knowledge with them about a web tool that can help them with their English learning. Add a link back to your blog post.

Communication Skills and Strategies

  • consider purpose, audience, and context when making language choices
  • develop effective writing skills and strategies such as punctuation, vocabulary, and grammatical and lexical competence
  • use a range of cohesive and structural devices to organise ideas logically

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *