While French education minister Luc Chatel says the French are bad at speaking English, people are queuing up for conversation exchange sessions, known as Franglish. Full story >>
COMMENT
Sounds like a great idea to me. The speed dating method can be adapted in many ways. I recently did a lesson using speed interviewing.
| | | |
| | |
Among other things, the iPad is a wonderful tool for language learners. I've already posted several articles about iOS apps for learning English on The English Blog, but having recently become the proud owner of a new iPad (I had an iPod Touch before), I thought it would be fun to start another blog where I could talk exclusively about ways in which teachers and learners of English can use Apple's magical device. So, if you've got an iPad, or are thinking of getting one, head on over to iPad English (www.ipadenglish.net) and join the conversation.
| | | |
| | |
I received an email from Dr. Tobias Lorenz telling me about Glovico, a Fairtrade online school where native speakers can teach their mother tongues via Skype: "... we want promote additional income opportunities in the developing world and foster intercultural dialogue. Having started out with Spanish and French last year we are currently moving into more regional languages at the moment."
This feature from BBC will give you a better idea of the venture.
COMMENT
If you're a learner, the first lesson is free and there's a money-back guarantee, so you can't go wrong really. If you're a teacher, you're not going to become rich—the recommended asking price for a 55min lesson is €5 to begin, so perhaps that's why there are only two teachers offering English lessons at the moment. However, if you're not in it for the money and want to get some experience of online teaching, Glovico could be the answer.
| | | |
| | |
I first came across Edulang's daily news-based English lesson service English Addicts back in May 2009 and gave it a very positive review. At the time, full membership cost a whopping 120 euros (though some lessons were available for free). Things rarely stay still in the digital world, however, and since December 2011, Edulang have been offering an annual subscription for just one euro. To be more exact, you decide how much you want to pay (so you could still pay 120 euros—or more—if you wished). Half the money goes to charity, which seems like a good way to persuade people to pay more than the strict minimum.
I still think English Addicts (see demo video here) is a great way of improving listening and reading skills, and there are now over 1500 lessons available in the archives. That should keep all you learners busy for a while.
Other Edulang applications available on a 'pay what you want' basis include the TOEFL Test Simulator and its TOEIC counterpart (which I reviewed yesterday).
ALSO SEE
• Fair practice and low cost in our #ELT industry (Edulang blog)
• Building a Didacticized World English Resource into a Teacher-led Course by Philip Hawkes, Pedagogical advisor, Edulang (Vimeo video)
| | | |
| | |
The English We Speak is a weekly podcast from BBC Learning English which looks at a different everyday English phrase or piece of slang in a fun three-minute programme. You can subscribe to the podcast here.
COMMENT
Podcasts are a great way to improve your listening and vocabulary skills. I'm always encouraging my students to use them. You can find a list of English learning podcasts in the sidebar on the left.
| | | |
| | |
Voice of America Learning English is a news and information service used by English learners and teachers worldwide. Reports are written in VOA Special English, which is read one-third slower than regular English.
VOA Special English has its own YouTube channel, where you can find over 500 videos. This recent report about using the internet and social media to find a job gives a good idea of what to expect.
COMMENT
The subtitles are very useful, but I'm not really sure about the slower delivery. Shouldn't learners be getting used to hearing English spoken at normal speed? What do you think?
| | | |
| | |
Based on the best-selling Sound Foundations, Macmillan's new Sounds app helps you study, practise, and play with pronunciation wherever you are.
COMMENT
To get all the features in the video, you'll need to get the premium version, which costs £3.99. The free version just gives you access to the Interactive Phonemic Chart and an introductory video. Still, £3.99 seems quite reasonable for what you get.
| | | |
| | |
I got an email from Yves Bangerter, head of marketing at TeaTime-Mag, telling me about his free online English language magazine. Here's how he describes it:
TeaTime-Mag is a free online English language magazine that is designed for you to maintain and improve your language skills while learning about the life and culture of the English-speaking world! All articles have highlighted vocabulary help and are accompanied by an integrated audio version, allowing you to read along as you listen to the correct pronunciation. And the best part is: this resource is completely free of charge!
Watch this video to find out more:
TeaTime Video [No Subs] from Lingua Group on Vimeo.
COMMENT
TeaTime-Mag is available in three languages: German, French, and Spanish. And there's also a Teacher Edition with extra resources for teachers. All good stuff!
| | | |
| | |
Express English is a new course from BBC Learning English. Every week, people in London are asked questions on a specific topic. You can see their answers in a short video. You can also post your own answers to the questions on the BBC Learning English site. This week's questions: Have you ever had dancing lessons? When do you dance?
COMMENT
A good way to improve listening and writing skills.
LESSON IDEA
Show a video to students (earlier episodes are available on YouTube). Get them to answer the questions (and come up with more questions on the same topic).
| | | |
| | |
LearningChocolate.com is a website which aims to help children to memorize English vocabulary in an easy and efficient way, by using images, pronunciation and games. The words are divided into nearly 80 categories such as Animals, Clothing, House, Numbers, etc.
WHAT I THINK
Although the site is aimed at children, older learners could certainly benefit from doing some of the activities. (I doubt that my students wouldn't know much, if any, of the Cookware vocabulary!) The fact that you can hear the pronunciation of all the words is a big bonus.
| | | |
| | |
Voice of America has had its excellent Special English section for a while now, offering accessible news stories for learners of English. They've now added a new feature: The Classroom.
Here you will find Articles and Activities at 3 different skill levels, as well as an Idiom Dictionary and a Wordbook.
VERDICT
A very attractive site, which makes good use of Flash animation and sound. In fact, I'm so impressed that I'm adding it to my list of Top ELL Sites (see sidebar on left). The only quibble I have is that all the articles (including Advanced level ones) are read in that slow VOA speak, which can be a bit off-putting.
[via Larry Ferlazzo]
| | | |
| | |
I've talked about Road to Grammar before, and I've still no idea who's behind the site. However, I thought I'd mention it again because it has some really good resources for both students and teachers, yet also seems to be something of a well-kept secret.
As the name suggests the main focus is on grammar, with 365 grammar quizzes linked to explanatory notes. But there's plenty of other useful stuff such as games and downloads. I particularly liked the Flash-based game Fluent, which allows 2 students to play. Meanwhile, the Downloads section has some great PDFs including an e-book with 25 factoids for EFL teachers and another with 100 conversation questions.
The only thing I did find a bit annoying was the navigation, as there's often no link back to the homepage from within the site. This could easily be solved by adding a link to the header.
FOOTNOTE
I got an email from the creator of Road to Grammar. Here's what he told me:
My name is Emile Alexander Dodds and I am currently working for an e-learning company in Malaysia. I am originally from Scotland and I have a background in TEFL and about 15 years of experience in teaching, training and also e-learning. I started roadtogrammar.com as a hobby, basically, and as a place to put useful activities for my own students. I did absolutely everything on the site myself. I'm a self-trained programmer. The roadtogrammar site has been around for about 5 years now and I get around 600 or so visitors a day.
Emile has plans to expand the site and make some of the activities accessible on mobile devices. I look forward to seeing the results.
| | | |
| | |
How To ... is a course on the BBC Learning English site where you can discover and practise phrases and expressions which you can use in all kinds of different situations, whether it's to order a drink in a restaurant or have an argument with someone. Each unit has audio and texts you can download or you can subscribe to an audio podcast. There are also quizzes and exercises to help you practise what you have learnt. Great stuff!
| | | |
| | |
WordStash is a free online vocabulary builder built on top of a dictionary. It has an automated study tool that asks multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank questions and uses spaced repetition for efficient learning. The site also has contextual examples from real online news sources for each word.
WHAT I THINK
WordStash allows you to create your own vocabulary lists or view those created by other users. Useful for preparing exams like the GMAT or TOEFL, but not so good for business English—the word 'brand' was defined as 'a piece of red-hot wood'!
FOOTNOTE
Free Technology for Teachers also has a review of WordStash.
| | | |
| | |
