Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching 3rd edition (Teaching Techniques in English as a Second Language)

Reviewing the Techniques

Technology Used for Providing Language Learning Experiences

Here is a brief review of some of the options that teachers use. This review includes
options not featured in the Experience above but ones that you should be aware of. It
would not be possible to include all of the options within a single lesson, and, of
course, the options are always increasing—given the rate of development in the field.

• Blogs

            One rich    source  of  language    texts   are blogs,  which   can be  thought of  as  online

diaries or journals. The word comes from a combination of ‘web’ + ‘log.’ Blogs can
be private and controlled with passwords, or public, depending on the desire of the
author. Most blogs allow for visitors to post comments. Since blogs are written by
people remarking on their travels, daily life, current events, etc., they are a rich
source of authentic material for reading, discussion, and study. Blogs are available
in many languages and are often created as an open source, which makes them
searchable via any browser and search engine. Some blogs are specifically devoted
to the author’s language learning process or his or her experience in teaching a
language. Searching on the web for ‘language learning blogs’ will yield some
interesting sites. Students can also be encouraged to create and write their own
blogs as a regular assignment or ongoing reflective activity. In this way, they are
not always writing only for the teacher. Since blog entries are chronologically
ordered, students and teacher can create a progressive archive of student work.

• Computer-assisted Language Learning Software

            There   is  a   wide    variety of  Computer-assisted   Language    Learning    (CALL)  software

(computer programs) and/or websites available for use by language learners. Some
of the CALL programs are open source, which means that they are free and can
easily be downloaded onto individual computers; others can be purchased. Some
CALL programs focus on specific elements of language such as vocabulary or
grammar practice. Others have a reading comprehension focus or provide guidance
and practice for improving pronunciation. As with any materials for teachers or
learners, there is a range of quality and usefulness among CALL programs.

• Digital Portfolios

            We  saw in  the lesson  that    we  observed    that    the teacher was compiling   a   digital

archive or portfolio of student work. In this way, the teacher has a file of student
work that she can add to throughout the term. The European Language Portfolio is
a standardized portfolio assessment tool that students can use to document their