ESL Study Guide –Description

“students who are learning English in a practical manner”

Exercises cover reading, writing, listening, speaking, vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar. Proficiency tests for the TOEFL.

Three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced.

ESL Study Guide –Context

Intended target audience: Students 16 and older.

Easy access – create an account and log in. One free membership and one that costs money

Enter your e-mail address in the e-mail address field. Feedback will be emailed within 3 - 5 business days.

For the free membership you can still get feedback by writing the e-mail address of your teacher

Materials are mostly self-contained

ESL Study Guide –Instructional design

Cognitive but mainly constructivist/socio-cultural language teaching philosophy – both multiple-choice and communicative exercises.

Focus on meaningful use of English in context.

Feedback: Multiple-choice with instant feedback or at the end of

the exercise as a final score. Feedback on written exercises and recordings of oral

production by entering e-mail of tutor or teacher. Also by paying money.

ESL Study Guide –Activities

Reading: Texts with multiple-choice questions

Vocabulary: Cross-words and flashcards, word list

Listening: listen to texts, for example articles – write a summary or answer multiple-choice questions.

Speaking: Answer discussion questions by recording the answer using Java Sonics. Feedback can be provided if you enter the e-mail of your teacher.

Pronunciation: Listen to text with unfamiliar words in context and read the transcript of the passage while listening.

Writing and grammar: Correct and rewrite essays – timed exercise. Summarize essay – timed exercise. Enter teacher’s e-mail to get feedback. Multiple-choice grammar exercises.

SpeakingAnswer questions by recording the answer using

Java Sonics. Feedback can be provided if you enter the e-mail of your teacher.

Example: Speaking Practice - Advanced

Question: Many people like to use and submit information to online encyclopedias like Wikipedia. Do you you think they are a good source of information? Why?

SpeakNow

FeedbackMultiple-choice. Total score at the end of the

exercise. Key with correct answers.

Feedback on written and oral production by teacher or by paying (3-5 business days)

No record of previous results. Start over each time.

ESL Study Guide –Design

Appropriate design

Clear layout

Light colours

Quite easy to use

ESL Study Guide –Practical Considerations

Will the program improve teaching/learning efficiency?

Yes, I think it could. Varied exercises. Could be used in class or at home by students.

My school1 to 1 school

Wireless internet connection

PC 1-3 years old

IT-plan for pedagogical issues

No training, learning by doing, giving each other advice

Learning platform

Good IT-support, but no IT-pedagogue