1. A journey through changes in English language Learning

2. We had fun, we learned a lot, took & passed exams A bit silly too! My first students! Facilities were basic

3. Things didn’t change very much

4. Ooh! New technology! Green boards – with the roller kind more content was visible cleaner easier to write no more broken chalk!

5. White boards! – colour coding! Language labs – we all felt like airline pilots! All my student teachers were dab hands with an Ohp!! New Technology Student experiences not so very different

6. In the 1990s things began to fall apart

7. Workloads got heavier Spending got leaner Language training decisions made in house ‘International English’ resulted in a reduced need for learning

8. Frustration for both teachers and ‘students’

9. The Millennium Student

10. Lessons go from 2 hours to 90 or 60 minutes From once a week to whenever it can be fitted in Homework almost impossible

11. Many stuck at post FCE level – yet need more

12. I want to learn I want to teach Can we work something out? I’m too busy to have regular lessons I have the language expertise There is a lot of ‘dead time’ We have computers with internet access We have mobiles and Skype Let’s find a way!

13. How to create an effective online space? Interactive, collaborative activities Extra grammar exercises for individual learning Lots of new vocabulary Robust exercises Lots of variety Challenges! Fun things! Things they can get their teeth into Independent learning activities What are the things that students enjoy and learn best from? Can we do this effectively online?

14. My solution!

15. Grammar Business Exercises Reading Skills Exercises Vocabulary Listening Writing

16. Poetry Messaging, chat networks Wiki Short stories Other Language Activities Blogs Interactive Games

17. Finding the right business model Free space Individual subscription Joint venture Organisational & school licence Partnership Revenue share Franchise Flexibility

18. What to do about Speaking? Many of our students were in the UK They use English at work Less relevant to non UK Advanced students probably ok Too many excuses!! Not good enough!! A blended approach We offer face-to-face too The solution – Skype – using Gapfillers material

19. Comfortable in our technology skin

20. Student Karma