There are several benefits to using chat in language teaching, according to the document. Chat can improve learners' language abilities through negotiating meaning in text chat and producing more fluent language in voice chat. It also brings current technology into the classroom, creating variety and motivation for learners. Using chat also allows classes to contact learners in other countries. While both text and voice chat have advantages, the best approach is to use a combination of both to give learners practice in both written and spoken interaction.

1. How to use chat ?
Chapter -6P 74 – 77
Prepared by:
Ayat Hamdi Al-Gatanany

2. Why use chat in language teaching?
When the teachers want to use chat with learners they
need to ask the following questions : Does using text or voice chat with learners improve their language ?
 What kind of English should learners use in chat ?
 What technical skills do teachers and learners need to be able to use chat ?
 What benefits does the use of chat bring to the classroom ?
 Is it better to use text or voice chat with learners ?

3. Does using text or voice chat with learners
improve their English?
• Chat is a synchronous tool to improve learners’
language abilities.
• Text chat provides opportunities for negotiating
meaning .
• Voice chat is more likely to make learners produce
more fluent language.
• Text chat and voice chat many advantages and
disadvantages.

4. What kind of English should learners use in chat ?
• We would recommend that students use standard
written English conversation in text chat and email.
• If you want to use abbreviations, you need to
explain them the first time you use them in chat, e.g.
btw = by the way.
• In text chat, use ? To ask for the floor, ‘…’you have
not finished a contribution , and ‘.’ finished the a
contribution.
• In voice chat, use Turn please to ask for the floor,
Done or Over finished speaking.

5. Moderator
 In chat with more than two users, the teacher will take on
the role of moderator.
 What does the moderator role?
 Introduces the chat.
 States the chat agenda.
 Allocates turns in the chat.
 Keeps participants on track.
 provides brief summaries of points covered in the chat.
 Indicates when the chat is over.

6. What technical skills do teachers and learners
need to be able to use chat ?
 No special technical skills are needed by either
teachers or learners.
 Teachers and learners should know where and how
to type comments in a chat window for text chat, and
how to use a microphone and speakers, or a headset
for voice chat.

7. What benefits does the use of chat bring to the
classroom ?
1- Using chat in classroom can be hugely motivating to
learners .
2- Teacher will bring current technology into the
language learning process and creating variety by
using a new tool.
3- Using chat can opening up the possibility of
contacting and communicating classes in other parts
of the world.

8. Is it better to use text or voice chat with learners ?
 Text chat requires written interaction, while voice
chat relies on spoken interaction.
 Many chat programs combine text and voice
capabilities .
 Learners should use a combination of both voice and
text chat, if possible.

9.  learners may already use text chat at
home.
There are
a number of
advantages
associated
with using
chat in
classroom
 Bring current technology into the
classroom.
 Use of a new tool can be motivating for
learners.
 Enables learners to make contact with
learners in other countries.

10. Advantages
Text chat
 A low tech option.
Voice chat
 “Real “ oral practice of
language.
 Non-threatening and
easy to learn to use.
 Chat transcript can be
used later for language
analysis.
 Voice chat software
increasingly easy to
download and use.

11. Disadvantages
Text chat
 Text chat can be chaotic
(overlapping turns,
disjointed, topic decay…).
 Unclear whether text chat
really improves learners’
English.
 Can be difficult to identify
errors vs. typos vs. nonstandard chat speak.
 Weaker typists are put at a
disadvantages.
Voice chat
 Suitable for very small
groups only.
 Reliable broadband
internet connection
needed.
 Recording a chat may
be complex and require
other software.