Technology in the Second Language Classroom

Should teachers implement technology such as the computer network in the second language classroom? Taking into account several aspects that allow the enhancement of the teaching and learning process of a second language, this question should be answered affirmatively.
The first aspect concerns the needs of the students of the Twenty-first century. In order not to be technologically illiterate, not only do learners need to know how to write e-mails, to chat and to play with the computer, but also to surf the web to carry out some research and to master the different options the computer network offers such as audio and video conferencing, blogs, wikis and searchers groups. Moreover, they need to learn to be critical towards the material they find in the web. Most learners will acquire this critical view at school.
The second argument in favour of implementing technology in the second language classroom is related to the new approach to language teaching, the Communicative Language Teaching, which highlights the environment, the involvement of learners in the learning process, communication through interaction and collaboration, and authentic materials. E-mails and some games such as “Second Life” offer learners an authentic environment to learn the language while using it. Learners can interact and collaborate meaningfully by exchanging messages with their classmates, teachers and native speakers of the target language. The material available at Internet includes an endless quantity of sites with activities, stories, games and other resources such as online dictionaries.
Finally, there are several software programs which allow learners to improve their reading, listening, speaking skills and grammar knowledge. It has been proved that students who use these programs are more motivitated to read and listen in the target language. By using these programs, they also show more fluidity of conversation, they use more complex sentences and improve their pronunciation notoriously.
There are also some arguments against implementing technology in the second language classroom based on financial and technological difficulties. In fact, the cost of setting up a network at schools and the investment in training teachers can be expensive, so the equity of education will be harmed causing unfair educational conditions for poor school and students. Moreover, teachers and learners are required to have a certain level of technological knowledge and computer skills. Teachers should be trained to know how to make use of Internet- based materials and learners should be taught to perform guided tasks such as webquests to explore these materials and to achieve the expected outcomes. These problems are not so difficult to be solved if the government implement right policies on investment and training.
In short, computer technology is a valuable tool that should be integrated into the second language class to improve the teaching and learning process providing learners with tasks and materials relevant to their needs and interests.

Cheeps

More on violence

If you think that you have just heard everything about thieves and violence, there is something more about this type of crime. It was Saturday in the afternoon, no one would suspect it. She crossed the room door with a baby in arms and the scene could only generate some kidness in who saw. She simulated to be a customer. But within seconds everything changed: the woman took out a gun that was hidden in a bag, she pointed the owner of the bakery and asked him furiously where the money was. The owner told the reporters that this was the third theft suffered in the same trade since it opened its doors two months ago. He said that it was incredible to see how the woman held with one hand the baby and with the other she was pointing out him with the gun. This criminal offence was once again demonstrated the concern of several neighbours and merchants who complained by the succession of assaults during recent months.

Candy

Danger: strong language !

Each country has words which are considered dangerous , holy ,magic or shocking, and which are only used in certain circumstances ,or by different kind of people . In many cultures, for example , some words are associated with religious beliefs, or the other way around, these words are associated with vulgar things.Therefore, when we are speaking, we have to take into account the way of doing it, because it is likely that we sound rude. For instance, the tone of voice, it doesn´t matter what we say, it is how you say it. Even the most polite phrases can sound rude if said in an aggressive way. The sarcasm may be used to change the meaning of the phrases, sometimes by being too polite or too formal. As regards taboo words and swearwords, you have to be very careful about using them, because you don´t know what effect can produce on the other person. Some expressions, deliberately designed to shock and outrage people ,are aggressive and rude as well. For instance, "don´t be stupid·", or "mind your own business !, these phrases make the others feel angry and upset. In conclusion, there are plenty of ways of being rude , remember them and try to avoid them in a conflict situation! (taken from an extract)

Sky

Health insurance: a luxury?

An article I read on the New York Times newspaper made me feel concerned and annoyed at the same time. People having no health coverage are less likely to know if they have chronic diseases. Since they cannot afford the expensive health care costs, such diseases are not detected on time, leading to heart attacks and strokes. The article compares the insured with the uninsured Americans, and figures are really alarming. Researchers found that 46 percent of the uninsured with diabetes had never been diagnosed with the disease, compared with only 23.2 percent of insured diabetics. What`s more, 52 percent of the uninsured with high cholesterol didn`t know about their condition, compared with 29.9 percent of the insured. I believe the situation is quite similar here in Argentina where there are hundred thousands of uninsured people who cannot have access to health care. My question is: Don´t you think every individual should have free access to optimal health service?

SPARKLING

A Frightening Experience

In 1996 I visited San Andres island in Colombia. My family and I were staying in a hotel just opposite the beach. We were having a wonderful time there when a lovely breeze became a strong and fast wind. Since it had been announced through loudspeakers that a hurricane was approaching, everybody started rushing around sealing the hotel windows and placing sand bags on the ground in order to prevent water from the sea coming into the hotel. Suddenly, as the wind began blowing even harder, guests were told to go and stay in their rooms under their beds. We were also warned against walking around the hotel garden because a coconut may fall on our heads, causing a severe injury. Despite being scared to death, I was brave enough so as to open our room door and record part of the disaster with my video camera. It was hard to believe believe how huge waves had become. We stayed all that awful day long in our room waiting for the violent hurricane to go away. On the following day, luckily safe and sound, we could witness the trail of devastation it had left and know that the eye of it had been in Nicaragua.


SPARKLING

Women and combat duty

Women ought not to be recruited for combat duty. First of all, it is absolutely impractical. Two facilities for everything would be needed to set up. This would imply setting up two sleeping quarters, two sets of showers and two toilets. Thus, the real quantity of work would increase twofold. Secondly, troop movement would significantly slow down since the army would need more supplies and equipment in the field. Troops would lack the advantage of being prepared on the spot for a surprise attack. If an incredible amount of backup support is usually required only for men, it would definitely double with enrolled women in wartime. Last but not least, women are emotionally and physically weaker than men. Being in a genuine physical combat would imply having a lot of strength as well as courage, all of which women more often than never lack. To conclude, women should not carry out combat duty since they lack the strength to face it. Do you agree?
Emma

Spring assignment followup

Dear Students,

click on HERE and read all entries under Memo Samples and Poster Samples. Analize them in terms of coherence and cohesion, grammar, situation (context of situation). Award them a mark (1-10 scale) and justify it.

Anahí

The secret of your eyes

Directed by Juan José Campanella.
Starring: Ricardo Darin, Soledad Villamil, Guillermo Francella
From my point of view this movie is simply a piece of art, from the history that recounts, through its music to the actions of these amazing actors that even after demonstrating their talent in reiterated occasions, they surprise us with this film in which there is both to reflect and enjoy. In addition, it maintains a constant rhythm that makes time flying, maintaining the five senses of the spectator in the screen. Frankly, I really want that there are other movies such as this, because it portrays our reality and despite constant leave us the hope to believe that there may be good things in the middle of so much corruption. I was absolutely astonished, the music couldn't be more perfect to reflect the climate of each scene. Hopefully exit for sale because it is very beautiful and win all the prizes.

Candy

Many people have died in Philippine floods. (By the BBC)

I was reading an article in the BBC and this piece of news was the one that really called my attention. It is really sad, but these floods are a consequence of human behaviour.
These floods are taking place in Manila, where at least the whole town is completely under water. Power has been cut off to parts of the capital. Moreover, hundreds of people are trapped on rooftops.
Television pictures showed water flowing down roads like rivers, with the floods chest- deep and rising.
At least fifty people have been killed and thousands more are evacuated.
The Philippine’s President appealed for donations and called for calm, and she told people that they have to follow the instructions of local officials and civil defence authorities.

Anush

The catcher in the rye (J D Salinger)

It was one of the most censored books in the story of the United States ,due to several things:a vulgar language,sexual references,blasphemy,moral codes,and so on.(taught in public schools).This story starts at a mental institution and consequently,it immerses the reader in the profound mystery of his tragic life ...and ending.The main character ,Holden Cauldfield,tells the story in first person.He was expelled from the prep school in December of his school days.His teacher,Mr Spencer,informs him of his expulsion,Holden goes to visit him,who is very ill.He feels misunderstood by the entire society,out of context,lost,alone,specially as regards his family. There is a contrast of him in the story,that is his successful brother,that he calls "prostitute",because of his work,in which he sells himself in the city to reach what he wants.His brother is a writer ,that lives in Hollywood,and is called Jaguar ,like the car.He is a phony man.Interesting?Maybe this information is not enough to understand the story ,but it is a start.

Sky