English as a

Foreign Language U3
Teaching

MODULE 7
E-learning: Teaching EFL with technology

UNIDAD 3
DIGITAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP PRODUCTIVE LANGUAGE SKILLS

.
TOPIC 1: Improving communicative skill with E-tools

▪ Subtopic 1: Speaking Skills in an EFL Context with virtual

tools
▪ Subtopic 2: Virtual tools and its features
OBJECTIVE

Demonstrate a proficient understanding of

various digital tools and technologies available for
teaching productive language skills, including but
not limited to word processors, speech
recognition software, online writing platforms,
and virtual communication tools.
 In your group:
Warm up:
Discuss the following questions:

1. What are the potential challenges and ethical

considerations associated with using
technology to teach productive language
skills, and how can educators address them
effectively?
2. What are some innovative digital tools or
platforms that can assist educators in
assessing and providing feedback on
students' productive language skills?
 SUBTOPIC 1: Speaking Skills in an EFL Context with virtual tools

What is a speaking skill?

Speaking skill refers to the ability to

communicate effectively through
spoken language. It is one of the
fundamental components of
communication and involves
conveying your thoughts, ideas, or
messages to others in a clear,
coherent, and understandable
manner.
Speaking skill encompasses various aspects, including:
 How to teach Speaking with technology
Teaching speaking skills with technology in the EFL classroom involves a
structured approach that combines traditional teaching methods with digital
tools.
Connecting characteristics of
Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy is
necessary for creating online
learning activities that are in
accordance with our students’
needs.

“Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy helps us

navigate through the myriad digital
tools and make choices based on
the kinds of learning experiences
we want students to engage in.”

Selecting the most appropriate

digital activity will depend on the
activity’s level of difficulty tied to
the cognitive levels stated within
Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy.
Authors published in recent years…
Hubbard (2019) acknowledges the pivotal role of
technology in language education and explores its
effectiveness in promoting speaking skills. The author
highlights the following key points:
Moreover…
Peterson and Coltrane (2021) discuss the concept of learner autonomy
and its relationship with technology in language learning. Their insights
regarding technology-assisted speaking practice include
Tools…
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 ▪ Subtopic 2: Virtual tools and its features
SpeakPipe:
Google Meet:
● Google Meet is a free video ● SpeakPipe is another free voice
conferencing tool that allows you to recording tool that allows students
conduct virtual speaking sessions to record and share their spoken
with your students. responses.
● https://meet.google.com/ ● https://www.speakpipe.com/

Zoom: Tandem Language Exchange:

● Zoom offers free video conferencing ● Tandem is a language exchange app
with features like breakout rooms for that connects learners with native
group discussions. speakers for virtual language
● https://zoom.us/ exchange sessions.
● https://www.tandem.net/

Flipgrid:
HelloTalk:
● Flipgrid is a platform where students
● HelloTalk is a language learning app that
can record short video responses to
facilitates language exchange through
prompts, allowing them to practice
text, voice, and video chats.
speaking.
● https://www.hellotalk.com/?lang=en
● https://flipgrid.com/
Vocaroo: YouTube:
● Vocaroo is a simple voice recording ● YouTube has numerous channels dedicated to
tool that can be used for speaking teaching English, including pronunciation and
practice and pronunciation exercises. speaking practice videos. For example, Rachel's
● https://vocaroo.com/ English is a popular channel for pronunciation.
● https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvn_XCl_m
gQmt3sD753zdJA

ESL Games Plus:

● ESL Games Plus provides free
ManyThings.org:
online speaking games and
● ManyThings.org offers a variety of
activities for English learners.
speaking activities and quizzes for
● https://www.eslgamesplus.com/c
English learners.
● http://www.manythings.org/
 BBC Learning English:
Breaking News English ● BBC Learning English offers a wide
● Breaking News English offers free range of speaking and pronunciation
speaking activities based on activities and videos.
current news articles. ● https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/
● https://breakingnewsenglish.com/

VoiceThread:
● VoiceThread is an interactive multimedia
platform that allows students to engage in
spoken discussions around various media.
● https://voicethread.com/
 More Activities…

Activity 1 https://asoftmurmur.com/
Activity 2 https://www.zoopla.co.uk/
Activity 3 https://learnenglishteens.britishcoun…
Activity 4 https://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/
Activity 5 https://www.groupon.co.uk/
Practice Time…
In your group,

1. Download https://praktika.ai/ app.

2. Create an account
3. Set your data
4. practice with the avatar.
5. Share your experience with your
classmates.

-
TOPIC 2: Improving writing skill with E-tools

▪ Subtopic 1: Writing skills in an EFL context with virtual tools

▪ Subtopic 2: Virtual tools and its features
TOPIC 2: Improving writing skill with E-tools

Writing skill refers to the ability to effectively

communicate thoughts, ideas, and information
through the written word. It encompasses a range of
abilities and techniques that enable individuals to
convey their messages clearly, concisely, and
coherently to their intended audience. Strong writing
skills are essential in various personal, academic, and
professional contexts.
Key components of writing skill include
Using virtual tools in teaching writing offers several benefits:
Challenges…
To maximize the benefits of virtual tools in teaching writing while
addressing the challenges, instructors should carefully select
appropriate tools, provide clear guidelines and expectations, foster a
sense of community and engagement among students, and offer
support and training as needed. Additionally, a blended approach
that combines virtual and in-person instruction can help mitigate
some of the challenges associated with online learning.
Here are some strategies and virtual tools to enhance EFL writing
instruction:

Online Writing Platforms: Grammar and Spell Checkers: Online Writing Prompts:
● Google Docs: Collaborative ● Grammarly: A powerful tool ● Writing Prompts Websites: Websites
writing and editing in real-time, for grammar and spell like "Writing Prompts" or "Writing
making it easy for teachers to checking. It provides Exercises" offer a variety of prompts
provide feedback and track explanations for errors, to inspire creativity.
changes. helping learners understand
● Microsoft Word Online: Similar their mistakes.
to Google Docs, it allows for ● Hemingway Editor: Helps
real-time collaboration and students simplify their writing
editing. and improve readability.
Blogs and Forums: Peer Review Tools: Virtual Writing Workshops:
● Encourage students to ● Platforms like ● Host virtual writing workshops using
participate in online PeerGrade allow platforms like Zoom or Microsoft
writing communities, students to evaluate Teams. Students can share their
blogs, or forums where and provide feedback work, discuss writing techniques, and
they can practice on each other's receive feedback in real-time.
writing, share their writing, promoting a
work, and receive sense of community
feedback from a wider and improving critical
audience. thinking skills.

Audio and Video Feedback:

Online Writing Games: Digital Writing Journals: ● Use tools like Vocaroo or
● Use gamified platforms ● Encourage students to Screencast-O-Matic to provide
like Kahoot or Quizlet to maintain digital writing audio or video feedback on
create writing quizzes journals on platforms like students' written work,
and activities that make Evernote or OneNote to allowing for a more
learning fun. document their thoughts, personalized and engaging
ideas, and writing progress. experience.
Writing Analytics Tools: Virtual Writing Conferences: Online Writing Communities:
● Platforms like Turnitin offer ● Host one-on-one virtual writing ● Encourage students to join
insights into plagiarism and conferences with students to writing-focused social media
provide instructors with discuss their writing progress, groups, such as those on
data on students' writing address individual concerns, and Facebook or Reddit, where they
skills and areas for set goals. can share their work and engage
improvement. with other writers.

Digital Portfolios: Online Writing Contests: Teacher Feedback Tools:

● Have students create ● Encourage students to ● Use virtual tools like
digital portfolios on participate in online Google Forms or
platforms like writing contests, which SurveyMonkey to gather
WordPress or Wix to can motivate them to feedback from students
showcase their writing write and improve about the effectiveness of
achievements and their skills. your writing instruction.
growth over time.
Keep in mind…
Incorporating these virtual tools
and strategies into your EFL writing
instruction can create a dynamic
and engaging learning environment
that helps students develop their
writing skills effectively.
Additionally, it prepares them for
the digital literacy demands of the
modern world.
 Four skills using WhatsApp or telegram?

Teaching speaking using WhatsApp

or Telegram can be an effective and
convenient way to engage learners
in speaking practice, especially in
situations where in-person or live
video lessons are not possible.

These apps offer the advantage of asynchronous communication,

enabling learners to practice at their own pace while receiving
valuable feedback and guidance from you as their instructor.
Practice

On your whatsapp group:

1. Follow the teacher’s instructions.

2. Be active
3. Promote an friendly environment.
4. Discuss with your partner the
experience
First Activity
Four skills in practice: for this activity, you will
create a telegram group with 20 participants. You
need to send flashcards, audios or videos and text
messages to develop your classes. The content
will be provided, and the virtual class has to
follow a methodological process. See the
instructions and read the rubric in your Aula
virtual.
 Final Project

Webinar Project!
References
Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy. (2015, January 15). Retrieved May 03, 2016, from
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/blooms-digital-taxonomy
Hubbard, P. (2019). Technology in Language Teaching: Making the Most of Digital Resources.
Peterson, M., & Coltrane, B. (2021). Language Learner Autonomy: Strategies for Fostering Autonomous Language
Learning.
Meyer, K. A. (2010). A comparison of Web 2.0 tools in a doctoral course. The Internet and Higher Education,
13(4), 226-232. doi:10.1016/j.iheduc.2010.02.002
Mueller, D., & Strohmeier, S. (2010). Design characteristics of virtual learning environments: An expert study.
International Journal of training and development, 14(3), 209-222.