Virtual classroom in the teaching

and learning of ESL/EFL

This is a very important tool that

is becoming in a way a common

resource that institutions around

the world are implementing

nowadays, such as universities,

academies, etc. Many institutions

use it as their platform to conduct

fully online courses

Virtual classroom has become very popular among

educators as well around the world as a tool for

creating online dynamic web sites for their

students. To work with a virtual classroom all it

needs is to be installed on a web server

somewhere, either on one of your own computers

or one at a web hosting company.

If I’m not mistaken I’m aware that our university it is

using this toll as well to teach some of the subjects

for some of the majors! I have a friend that is

studying engineering I’m not really sure which one

but he old me about taking classes online, I think

they are called “clases a distancia”, he explained me

that the teacher just upload all the information about

the subject, then they studied by themselves but

they have some chatting or videoconferences with

the teacher to discuss about the topic, they have

schedule to do this, and also they keep in touch via

E-mail.

At the end of the course they have an

exam to get the final grade, besides all

the homework that is required as well!

I was reading about this tool and from my point of

view all that I see is just advantages using Virtual

classroom in teaching ESL/EFL

•Options and choices: students who are visual can

post images and videos

•Tech-usage would be encouraged: students often either have very few web skills or don’t use them

much for learning, so this might help them

practice.

•More work for students, less for teachers: their

learning should result from their own practice of

skills and reflection on material

•Themes would be introduced earlier: the gradual

approach teachers have been using of starting

with facts, then moving slowly into interpretation

and themes

Also I could say that surfing in the Internet we

can find several services, tools, materials,

videos, readings, games that we can use to

teach ESL/EFL and reach learning process in

our students and all we have to do is upload

information, share links, post materials etc.