A Flat World for

Language Learners Maryanne Burgos, Ph.D.

What do we want our language students to learn?

ESL Standards from TESOL

• To use English to communicate in social settings• To use English to achieve

academically in all content areas• To use English in socially and

culturally appropriate ways

Five C’s of Foreign Language Education

Communication

Cultures

Connections

Comparisons

Communities

Quick Reference

• Social language• Academic

language• Culture

Optimal Language Learning Environments

What do you think makes for a good language learning environment?

Optimal Environments

1. Have opportunities to interact and negotiate meaning.

2. Interact in the target language with an authentic audience.

3. Are involved in authentic tasks.

Egbert, J &Hanson-Smith, E. CALL Environments

Can computers help?

Historical Development of CMC

Drill and Practice

Email

Can new Internet tools provide an optimal environment?

What are some new Internet tools?

New Internet Tools

Tools are Not Methods

Project-Based Learningfor Language Learners

Websites for Global Collaboration

• ePals http://www.epals.com/

• The Global Schoolhousehttp://www.globalschoolnet.org/index.html

• Taking It Globalhttp://takingitglobal.org/

• Center for Innovation in Science and Engineering Educationhttp://www.k12science.org/collabprojs.html

What can ePals do for you?1. Connect classrooms2. Offer ready-to-use

projects3. Allow networking

for teachers, students and parents

4. Provide safe environment

1. Classroom Match

Negotiation of Meaning

Learning is essentially the result of interaction between learners and others.

Interaction

Learners must be involved in social interaction which is purposeful with a real audience that is actively involved with the learners.

Authentic Tasks

Authentic tasks are those having the same types of cognitive challenges as complicated real-world tasks do.

Designing a Project-Based Project• Connect with a classroom• Start with the goal• Design a plan for the project• Choose your tools• Create a schedule• Monitor progress • Assess the outcome• Evaluate the experience

2. Projects

Participate in ePal Projects

The Way We Arehttp://www.epals.com/projects/info.aspx?DivID=TheWayWeAre_overview

3. Networking

• Teacher forums• Student forums• Family Forums• Project Forums• Focus Area

Forums

4. Safe Environment

ePals as Optimal Language Learning Environment

• Social language• Academic

language• Culture

Enjoy a Flatter More Connected

World