Give Them A Voice

Give them a voice! Finding authentic audiences for your classes Gladys Baya 24 th April, 2008 “ If communicative ability is our goal, communicative practice must be part of the process. ” Tricia Hedge (2000)

The Kanji (Chinese) symbol for listening

Everyone can have a voice, and most important, know that someone is out there reading.

During the last week…

I’ve written to:

____________

____________

____________

____________

____________

I’ve talked to:

____________

____________

____________

____________

____________

Myself (my diary)

My husband (short note)

My boss (e-mail message)

My colleagues (forums and my blogs)

You! (notes for this lecture)

My family (chit-chat)

My friends (on the phone)

My boss (f2f)

My colleagues online (via Skype)

You! (right now)

Establishing a framework for writing tasks – Assumption 4: “ When setting writing tasks, teachers need to vary the audience , identify who the readers are to be, and try to make every piece of writing fulfill some kind of communicative purpose , either real or simulated.” Tricia Hedge (1988)

MEANING

Benefits of writing and speaking for authentic audiences

Students write about issues that have real M  G for them; developing ability to express F  S .

It M  S students who would not normally write or perform to improve their literacy skills.

Students develop C  N skills and engage in accountable talk.

The use of technology can broaden the scope of the students’ learning experiences outside of their L  L community.

FEELINGS MOTIVATES COLLABORATION LOCAL

Teachers have also documented:

increases in self- E  M and self-confidence

increased student A  E

increased performance on standardized language assessments

a decline in D  Y actions.

Benefits of writing and speaking for authentic audiences (cont) ATTENDANCE ESTEEM DISCIPLINARY

Benefits of writing and speaking for authentic audiences “ Collaborative writing provides students with readers and critics of their work in the classroom and the computer room. They become accountable in the way that writers are in real life, and this accountability is a strong incentive for clear and effective writing.” Tricia Hedge (2000)

How can we get started?

Encourage your students to criticise / comment on what other people are writing.

Start little (but aim big!):

1. 2.

3. younger / brighter learners at the school, peer groups, other teachers;

4. 5.

How can we get started? (cont)

Get their writing edited / published !

Have them write for adults / professionals instead of / as well as students.

Before launching / evaluating writing projects, ensure an audience for their work. . If they’re the other learners in the class, allot time during / after your lessons for them to read and respond.

http://www.blogspot.com

http://www.bubbleshare.com

http://www.pbwiki.com

http:// www.podbean.com ; http://www.podomatic.com

http://www.slideshare.net

http://www.springdoo.com

http://www.tumblr.com

“ What all collaborative tasks have in common is that one of the participants has a goal that he or she would like to achieve and the other participant engages in talk that helps the first to achieve that goal.” Wells and Chang-Wells; 1992 (quoted by Beatty:113 )

http://www.iearn.org

Writingmatrix

… originally four teachers who engaged their students in writing using blogs …

… each had their students tag their posts for this project with the term writingmatrix ...

… still ongoing as long as there are students who wish to try it out and respond to one another's postings… http:// writingmatrix.wikispaces.com

“ If you plan to develop an e-partnership, you must begin making contacts long before your class project starts… be realistic. People have busy lives and communication tasks should be short and very focused.” Gordon Lewis (2004)

“ Time magazine 's person of the year is " You ." You now have the power to publish, share, and interact with a global audience. Your students also have this power... The decision of what to do with that power lies with you .” Fryer , 2006

You can get it if you really want You can get it if you really want You can get it if you really want But you must try, try and try Try and try, you'll succeed at last Rome was not built in a day Opposition will come your way But the hotter the battle you see It's the sweeter the victory, now You can get it … I know it, listen Persecution you must bear Win or lose you've got to get your share Got your mind set on a dream You can get it, though harder them seem now You can get it … I know it You can get it if you really want - though I show it You can get it if you really want - so don't give up now You Can Get it if You Really Want (Jimmy Cliff)

Thanks for having joined me today! Gladys [email_address]