#57, Video: BBC Pronunciation Tips
The main element of Pronunciation Tips is a series of 44 free videos showing the sounds of English. These videos encourage the user to not only practice the sounds of…
#57, Research Paper: ‘Bye Bye Blackboard: Learning Language through Web Technology’ by Devi Archana Mohanty
ABSTRACT
It is now quite clear that English has become a necessity today. We need it in different fields of life. It is the only valid language that can be understood by everyone across the globe. Hence it has become crucial for language learners to learn and acquire all the skills of this language such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking effectively and efficiently. Use of technology in language learning proves to be a panacea, a solution to the educational challenges we face in the fast changing learning environment. Technology is a powerful means to enhance our abilities, to think, to learn, to communicate and to use our brains creatively and logically. The aim of this study is to discuss the role of web technology in English language learning environment and the need for a change in teacher’s role. Web based technologies and powerful internet connections provide new possibilities and latest trends for language teachers and learners. The focal point of the discussion is the potential of web based technology and internet connection in liberating users from routine tasks and empower them, for instance to focus on the creative and cognitive rather than traditional practice of learning. This study talks about enthusiasm, about innovation and excitement of language learning through web technology, the role of teachers in language teaching, and learners motivation in the learning process. (more…)
#57, Research Paper: ‘Cartoons as an entertaining source of learning English(L2) for the young learners(YL)’ by Sharmin Sultana
Cartoons as an entertaining source of learning English(L2) for the young learners(YL)
by Sharmin Sultana, Senior Lecturer, English Language Institute, United International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
With the recent development of EFL/ESL studies, researchers are using diverse directions to analyze the language acquisition of the young learners (YL) and are examining more day-to-day issues. What is widely accepted in this regard is that kids are basically prone to learn new ideas from their sources of entertainment rather than formal instructions, and that they usually cannot adhere to an instructional target set before them. Watching cartoons is indeed a ‘happy experience’ for the young children and is the basis for ‘an attractive and enjoyable learning environment’. Due to this entertaining appeal and their wide availability, cartoons have become one important resource from which today’s kids take a great amount of English language input and try to use that to communicate with people around them. The present paper overviews the content of some famous cartoons, delivers several case studies of some young kids and then shows how cartoon-watching has accelerated these youngsters’ English learning, and how it has influenced their language development in general. In addition, there is an attempt to demonstrate how the enthusiasm or high motivation, tender age, positive attitude and willingness for acculturation bridge between YL and L2 learning/acquisition.
Key Words: Watching cartoons, Learning English (L2), Young Learners(YL), Learning Environment, Language Development and use. (more…)