Vol. 4 Issue 21 – ELTWO Case Study: ‘The Case for Abstract Grammar: Formal Grammar and Linguistic Communication’ by Jeanette K. Gundel and Hooi Ling Soh

The ELTWorldOnline.com team has posted a case study entitled ‘The Case for Abstract Grammar: Formal Grammar and Linguistic Communication’ by Jeanette K. Gundel and Hooi Ling Soh (Department of Linguistics/Center for Cognitive SciencesUniversity of Minnesota).

Vol. 4 Issue 21 – Webinar: Transitioning ESL Students to the Workplace

The Cambridge team has posted a replay of the ‘Transitioning ESL Students to the Workplace’ webinar.

Vol. 4 Issue 21 – Article: ‘Teaching Grammar in an ESL / EFL Setting’ by Kenneth Beare

Kenneth Beare, About.com ESL Guide, has posted an informative article titled “Teaching Grammar in an ESL / EFL Setting”.

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 21 – Research Paper: ‘The Effect of Computer- Based Classes on Iranian Secondary School Students’ Writing Development’ by Sanaz Emami & Fatemeh Ali Panahi

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.

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 – 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.