Using Blogs in TESOL Teaching

    Nowadays, people use more and more scientific techniques such as computers, internet, and websites. With this, teaching methods are also changing and many techniques and tools are used in teaching. One of the most popular and effective way is to use blogs in classrooms.

    Here's some standards about "national standards for foreign language education", which is from ACTFL(American Concil on the Teaching of Foreign Languages). Click the article name, you can see more information.

 

COMMUNICATION

• Standard 1.1: Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions
• Standard 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics
• Standard 1.3: Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics

    It's a good way to encourage students show themselves and make progress through practice. Also, teacher can understand more about students' capability and choose a suitable way to teach them.

CULTURES

• Standard 2.1: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied
• Standard 2.2: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied

   It's a good place to meet all your classmates from different countries. Through blogging, students can share their personal experiences such as interesting stories, traditional culture, and special holidays.

COMMUNITIES

• Standard 3.1: Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting
• Standard 3.2: Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment

   It's a good habit to blogging and sharing. Students can use their second language to communicate and discuss with each other on the blog. What's more, they can continue blogging after one course, the class blog gives them a platform to write and comment in a second language.

Through blogs, students can discuss everything including articles, texts and research. All the way, Teachers can track students assignments, discussions and improvement in order to adjust their teaching methods. This is why we teachers are suggested to use a blog in our teaching.