The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of computer- based classes on Iranian secondary school students’ writing development. For this purpose, thirty students were randomly chosen, and then divided within two groups. Experimental group used computer as assistance and control group used simply paper and pencil environment. Holistic scoring was applied for scoring participants’ writings. Results showed a significant improvement in former group’s writing paragraph ability.
Category: ELT
Vol. 4 Issue 21 – Research Paper: ‘Language materials and adaptation strategies with specific reference to Aligarh Muslim University’ by Malika Anwar Siddiqui
The present paper deals with significance of materials in an ESL setting and finding out ways to apply adaptation strategies for effective teaching of ESL in an ESL setting where ESL is taught by an ESL teacher. It is believed that a person who is not a native speaker of language is not proficient to teach any second language to the second language learner. The scenario has changed now, especially in the second language countries like India where it is spoken and learnt in almost all parts of the country. Learning a language serves a medium to communicate and this eagerness accelerates learning enthusiastically all over the nation. In Indian education system there are several boards that regulate Academic Calendar and produce study materials from primary to senior secondary standards. These Educational Boards prepare books and materials that are very much culture specific. For instance, there are state Boards like Bihar Board, Assam Board, Uttar Pradesh Board and others. There are central boards such as CBSE, ICSE which are run by the central government of India. In AMU schools, books recommended by NCERT and CBSE are followed at Secondary and Senior secondary levels. Depending upon the learners’ profile there is a need to grade textbooks for better learning of students. The focus of the paper is to understand the language materials and implication of adaptation strategies in ESL.
Vol. 4 Issue 20 – Webinar: Ten ideas for mobile learning
This webinar, aimed at teachers with little or no experience in the subject, will show ten practical ways you can exploit mobile technology in order to support language learning. We will look at uses for both the teacher in class, and for the learner outside of lessons.
Vol. 4 Issue 20 – Conference: ‘Interfacing Language, Culture and Technology’, BITS Pilani (India), October 8-9
Advent of digital and high-speed communication technologies into our lives has made an inevitable impact on the use and development of language and culture which makes effective teaching of language crucial in post modern times. The development of human capital has to be in sync with the swift move in the world of communication. A sense of balance in the fields of language, culture and communication has to be nurtured to scaffold global growth and advancement in a wide range of other fields related to IT, engineering, architecture and business. Thus, technology’s pervasiveness, a potent influential force in the shaping of local and global cultures calls much needed attention to the context of educational policies and practices related to Language pedagogy.
Vol. 4 Issue 20 – Book Of The Week: ‘Writing Series (New)’ by Dorothy E Zemach, Daniel Broudy, Carlos Islam, Robyn Brinks Lodwood, Lisa A. Ghulldu, Chris Valvona
Systematically supporting the development of students’ writing from the basics of writing sentences to advanced level academic writing, the new edition of this popular series now includes a new level on writing research papers.
Vol. 4 Issue 20 – Article: ‘Top 4 Tips for Choosing the Right Assistive Technology’ by Ann Logsdon
Ann Logsdon, About.com ESL Guide, has posted an informative article titled “Top 4 Tips for Choosing the Right Assistive Technology”.
Vol. 4 Issue 20 – Research Paper: ‘Making the Teaching of English Communicative at the Undergraduate Level’ by Prof. Jinendra Jain
This paper discusses how useful documentaries are in teaching college reading courses.
Vol. 4 Issue 20 – ELTWO Research Paper: ‘Assessing Students’ Language Arts Performance: The Experience of Hong Kong Teachers’ by Benjamin Li
This article reports findings from an investigation of the English language arts (LA) assessment strategies used in Hong Kong secondary schools, and the extent to which these strategies reflect the principles of performance-based assessment.
Vol. 4 Issue 20 – Research Paper: ‘Does the Medium Determine the Outcome in Virtual Academic World?’ by Jit Shalin
With the help of broadband technology and other novel tools of the Information Age, virtual education makes possible for all human beings in the whole of the world to overcome impediments of age, time and place; to enter online classrooms for accessing handy virtual resources needed to succeed; to learn from top level teachers, experts and scholars; and also to achieve our individual ambitions for improving our life as a fundamental dream and desire in the 21st century.
Vol. 4 Issue 20 – Video: Robert K. Logan on The Origin and Evolution of Language
University of Toronto Physics professor Robert K. Logan on The Origin and Evolution of Language and the Emergence of Concepts