Group items tagged

"Abstract Currently, language educators experience difficulties in facilitating oral practice effectively in the foreign language classroom. Regularly, they face introverted and passive learners who fail to embrace speaking opportunities (Poza, 2011), or simply do not find the time to promote speaking practice in the classroom (Meddings & Thornbury, 2009). In this light, many asynchronous computer mediated communication (ACMC) technologies have emerged to confront this situation. However, central research studies do not seem to acknowledge ACMC as viable in accommodating oral development but, rather, frequently attribute this merit to synchronous CMC (Levy & Stockwell, 2006; Kervin & Derewianka, 2011). By employing a mixed-methods approach, this small-scale case study examines, firstly, the extent to which ACMC speaking practices are suitable for language learners' speaking development. Secondly, and by extension, it investigates the salient characteristics of the ACMC tool myBrainshark, that makes it appropriate for fostering linguistic growth. The data is obtained from post-beginner Spanish language learners by means of an online questionnaire and an online structured stimulated recall. The findings show, on the one hand, that ACMC oral practices can be beneficial in developing speaking aspects in lower-proficiency language learners and, on the other hand, that myBrainshark has characteristics that can potentially promote linguistic development. Finally, this paper calls for experimental research on the improvement of oral competency in post-beginner and higher-proficiency learners."

Abstract This study contributes to the body of research that aims to understand the relationship between online communication and foreign language (FL) learning, in particular when teachers seek to provide authentic opportunities for interaction for their learners. The study was motivated by efforts made in the New Zealand context to overcome the geographic limitations of interaction between FL learners and native speakers. We report on the findings of an exploratory study into an online reciprocal peer tutoring program established to enhance the FL learning of a group of beginner eleven-year old students of Spanish, with particular focus on the benefits of written corrective feedback. The project aimed to examine the processes by which students tutored each other in the online environment as they responded to each other's texts. The analysis of the students' messages focused on (1) the aspects of language corrected by the tutors, (2) the frequency with which tutors accurately identified and provided input on errors, (3) the types of feedback provided by the tutors, and (4) what the learners did with the corrections and feedback. The findings indicate that the students were willing to contribute to peer correction and used different strategies and correction techniques to foster attention to linguistic form, although they were not always capable of providing accurate feedback or metalinguistic explanations.

Japanese beginner lessons. Simple and clear approach. 

French beginner worksheets. Very simple to the point of being childlike (even though they are listed for high-schoolers). Sometimes, I just need a simple sheet of something in class. They can pobably also be used in one of the tools we have been looking at. As always, remember to quote your source when using.

short podcasts with intro language lessons - good practice for beginners

...project provides language educators with pedagogical strategies and practical suggestions for implementing social networking sites (SNSs) and social media for intercultural competence in beginner and intermediate FL courses.

Full-service brokers with extensive technical proficiency and support, such as Kotak Securities, is highly recommended for beginners. This is because of their expertise and years of guidance in the field of trading that can provide you with immense knowledge and customer service in your trading journey. Let us look into the parameters and factors to help you decide the best Demat account for your investment.

There are a lot of questions that are pretty obvious that teachers new to online teaching will ask. and then there are all the questions that they don't even know they should ask - until they get into things!

So far in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese - in three levels.  The Beginner level has pull-downs so you just make a choice.

Awesome resource, thanks for sharing, I can use this for my weekend school. Middle school students would really enjoy it. :D

anyone try the karaoke? or, is there another karaoke site? i have a student trip to Mexico City coming up and my wouldn't that be a fabulous fundraiser!

An account of how a elementary level language teacher uses Wikipedia in his courses. Describes his end-of-course creation project.