from blackboard to virtual world

A journey through changes in English language Learning

My first students!Facilities were basic

We had fun, we learned a lot, took & passed exams A bit silly too!

Things didn’t change very much

Ooh! New technology! Green boards – with the roller kind more content was visible

cleanereasier to write no more broken chalk!

New Technology

Student experiences not so very different

White boards! – colour coding!

Language labs – we all felt like airline pilots!

All my student teachers were dab hands with an Ohp!!

In the 1990s things began to fall apart

Workloads got heavierSpending got leanerLanguage training decisions made in house‘International English’ resulted in a reduced need for learning

Frustration for both teachers and ‘students’

The Millennium Student

Lessons go from 2 hours to 90 or 60 minutesFrom once a week to whenever it can be fitted inHomework almost impossible

Many stuck at post FCE level – yet need more

I want to learn

I want to teach

I’m too busy to have regular lessons

We have computers with internet access

Can we work something out?

We have mobiles and Skype

There is a lot of ‘dead time’

Let’s find a way!

I have the language expertise

Extra grammar exercises for individual learning

Fun things!

Lots of new vocabulary

How to create an effective online space?

What are the things that students enjoy and learn best from?

Can we do this effectively online?

Interactive, collaborativeactivities

Things they can get their teeth into

Robust exercises

Challenges!

Independent learningactivities

Lots of variety

My solution!

Skills Exercises

Grammar

Business Exercises

Reading

Vocabulary

Writing

Listening

Other Language Activities

Poetry

Short stories

Blogs

Wiki

Interactive Games

Messaging, chat networks

Finding the right business model

Flexibility

Individual subscriptionFree space

Organisational & schoollicence

Revenue share

Joint venture

Partnership

Franchise

What to do about Speaking?Many of our students were in the UKThey use English at work

A blended approach We offer face-to-face too

Too many excuses!!

Not good enough!!The solution – Skype – using Gapfillers material

Less relevant to non UKAdvanced students probably ok

Comfortable in our technology skin

Student Karma