What's hot in second language teaching...

Blended Education 
We have to say that for us blended learning is a brand new concept because we never heard a thing about it, but now that we read what it is, we realize that is one of the more important concepts in education these days. Because is like a perfect mixture between E-learning (teaching process supported by technology) and face to face learning (teaching related to teacher –students contact). 
We have to consider that is not the same if we applied Blended learning in a English lab or in a classroom with limited devices , for example in the first one the student can consult their teacher for one advice maybe or something specific about the content , and in the other one students learn more face to face .

For us E – Learning is a learning model that uses the internet as a learning tool.

This Model is very useful tool for the students because allows them to take the course from anywhere in the world at any time.

The students can answer a variety of interactive activities and also find information that they need. I it’s a very powerful tool because the students can be in contact with the teacher and will be very useful to increase they knowledge.  

It`s useful for teachers because they will acquire skills related to the technology.

Here we have some examples: 

THE SCALES: 

Using Polls

We think that we can use polls in speaking activities, for example: A class debate, because using polls the students can research and supporting ideas and generate an interactive discussion.

For example: If the theme to discuss is about the abortion, both teams can develop certain polls to support them ideas giving the social opinion about the theme.
http://pollcode.com/ If you want to create some polls, use this page to get online results.

For example http://pollcode.com/pollcode.cgi, you can answer here the question without login and get the results instantly.

Results: http://poll.pollcode.com/etethc_result_duplicate

So in this case, this page is a very good and easy to use because you don't have to login. And also because you can give your opinion in a privately way.

Carla Quintanilla
Constanza Valdivia
Patricio Onetto
Keyla Castro
Maria del Castillo

Productive Skills

As we all know speaking and writing are one of the most complicated skills to develop in schools so to explain them we need to be very creative to apply this content. 

here we have some links

Speaking 

http://www.voxopop.com/.

- Voxopop is a site which is similar to Voicethread but doesn't have pictures. Students and teachers can start a discussion with a question. Others can reply with their voice. Teachers can listen to the student's replies and assess their speaking using a general rubric. It’s a very good page if you want to have a class discussion one day with your students.

- http://voicethread.com/

VoiceThread bridges the gap between real-time discussions and standard video lectures or online presentations. This makes VoiceThread the platform for teaching, learning, training, and collaborating, on-demand.

Writing 

spellchecker.net.

-" Checking text and creating error-free emails and documents has never been easier. Our free, web-based service allows you to check grammar and spelling with one click. "

http://flashcardstash.com/

WordStash

Teachers can sign up for a free account and create word lists to support written text. With a click of a button, students can access dictionary information and create flash cards for review.

Constanza Valdivia 

Carla Quintanilla