An introduction to synchronous communication tools used in EFL teaching and learning in Chinese online courses

1. Synchronous Communication
Tools in EFL Online Learning
in China
Guoqiang Cui
The University of Southern Mississippi
July 22, 2008

2. Opportunities
and Challenges
Online learning is developing at a faster speed
Creative, happy, productive and relevant place
for successful learning
EFL (English as a Foreign Language) course has
its unique feature and requirement for
synchronous communication

3. Synchronous
Communication and tools
communication that happens at the same time,
immediately, a give-and-take
Text based and the audio or video based tools
more tools are integrated with all the audio,
video and text functions

4. Telephone
The most popular tool people would use to have
the immediate conversation with others
Cell phones with SMS, MMS functions
Telephone conference