ERIC Number: EJ1096315
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1559-663X
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Available Date: N/A
Using Mobile Phone Technology in EFL Classes
Sad, Süleyman Nihat
English Teaching Forum, v46 n4 p34-40 2008
Teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) who want to develop successful lessons face numerous challenges, including large class sizes and inadequate instructional materials and technological support. Another problem is unmotivated students who refuse to participate in class activities. According to Harmer (2007), uncooperative and unmotivated students are a serious problem and can easily disrupt the instructional process. Often, routine activities structured around whole class lectures and drills can contribute to the lack of motivation, especially when the students are children or adolescents. As many teachers know, project-based tasks alleviate this problem by allowing students to use their imagination and creativity and actively express themselves in a variety of interesting and enjoyable tasks. This article discusses how teachers can have their students use mobile phone technology--which is not typically considered an educational tool--to produce video projects and thus boost their communicative use of English. The appendix contains Website Resources for VoIM-Mediated Cooperative Tasks.
Descriptors: Telecommunications, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Student Motivation, Teaching Methods, Student Projects, Creativity, Imagination, Video Technology, Cooperative Learning, Communicative Competence (Languages), Class Size, Behavior Problems, Films, Documentaries, Anxiety, Synchronous Communication, Advertising
US Department of State. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language Programs, SA-5, 2200 C Street NW 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20037. e-mail: etforum@state.gov; Web site: http://www.forum.state.gov
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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