Trying to Get English Language Learners and Fluent English Speakers to Interact through Student Created Book CDs and Online Discussions

About my learning as much as my students’ learning Taking my understanding about how students learn a new language Applying to what I’m learning about computer technologies

Taking my understanding about how students learn a new language

Applying to what I’m learning about computer technologies

Teaching English through Reading Has Changed 40 years ago, most books for English language learners had controlled vocabulary and grammatical structures. Today, English language learners are using books written for fluent English speakers.

40 years ago, most books for English language learners had controlled vocabulary and grammatical structures.

Today, English language learners are using books written for fluent English speakers.

The understanding of language learning has changed Language Learning requires using the language for communication Skill Development alone (isolating and practicing skills needed to create language) is not language learning.

Language Learning Requires Input and Output Output - the brain needs to use that information to communicate (normally through speaking or writing). Input - Information needs to get into the brain (normally through reading and/or listening)

Language Learning is Messy

Our Reading Project Based on the belief that… Input for language learning can be more effective if input it is BOTH reading AND listening . Since output requires using language for communication, interacting with others is important.

Based on the belief that…

Input for language learning can be more effective if input it is BOTH reading AND listening .

Since output requires using language for communication, interacting with others is important.

Our Reading Project Fluent English speaking students record books the English language learners are reading. The audio files are put together to create book CDs for the English learners. The fluent English speakers participate in an online discussion about the books with the English learners.

Our Reading Project

Fluent English speaking students record books the English language learners are reading.

The audio files are put together to create book CDs for the English learners.

The fluent English speakers participate in an online discussion about the books with the English learners.

Our Reading Project To Do This Project I Needed: Training Software Hardware Collaborators Time A belief that it’s worth the effort

Our Reading Project

Training

Software

Hardware

Collaborators

Time

A belief that it’s worth the effort

Our Reading Project Training From the NWP Tech Liaison sessions at the annual meetings Tech Liaison online discussions The Tech Matters summer institute

Our Reading Project

Training

From the NWP Tech Liaison sessions at the annual meetings

Tech Liaison online discussions

The Tech Matters summer institute

Our Reading Project - Software Chose Audacity for recording audio files. Used iTunes or Windows Media Player to create CD master Chose Nicenet for book discussion

Our Reading Project - Software

Our Reading Project - Hardware For Recording For duplicating CDs For listening to CDs

Our Reading Project - Hardware

Our Reading Project - Collaborators An English 12 Class

Our Reading Project - Collaborators

Our Reading Project - Collaborators An Intermediate ESL Class

Our Reading Project - Collaborators

Our Reading Project - Recordings Tucket 1 Tucket 2 Tucket 3 Tucket 4 Tucket 5 Tucket 6 6 Slower Just like language learning, learning how to do this project messy.

Our Reading Project - Recordings

Our Project - Listening and Reading Why reading is hard How the CD helps

Our Project - Discussion