“In a statistical sense, we may one day communicate with each other far more via computer mediation than in direct interaction. The effects on what counts as ‘normal’ language acquisition could be similarly profound.” (Crystal, 2001: 241)
(Interesting, the right-click copy/paste option does not work.)
The main function of language acquisition is communication (yeah - I know cultural understanding is important too) so if people are communitcating by computer, clearly that must become an important consideration in the language classroom. As an old school kinda gal, it kinda bums me out a little. I like to talk, and read books made out of paper. I guess it will be good for the trees. This does lead me to wonder what will happen to language structure per say. Steve spoke about new epistolary conventions, and clearly that would be the case. What would happen to grammatically accuracy production? Would we need to redefine what grammatically accuracy means?
What I have noticed is that I feel an increadible sense of freedom as I write. If our students could feel the same way, I think they would embrace this.
Posted on June 28th, 2007 by admin
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I think it makes total sense to teach students how to blog in the language classroom. Especially for language programs that want to create interchanges with students from other countries. What better way to do it!
It is also a wonderful way to accumulate writing samples that can later be used to measure progress. Using corpora will also allow us to analyze how what is taught in the classroom is being applied outside of it.
Unfortunately, I am a total rookie at this. Who am I kidding? I’m not even in the minor leagues. I guess it might be nice for students to see how teachers are always learning too. Plus, it is likely they may think I’m cool.
I do see, however, how this format inspires writing, I could ramble on and on, so focus may be an issue. And I can’t spell in English.Thank goodness I would be writing in Spanish.
I know you can use accents and stuff (corpora ha ha). I wonder how hard they would be to enter. If you can just use a Spanish keyboard or if you have to use the alt ctr backslash shift 275 method.
Let’s try it. Hopefully I won’t break anything. If I did, it wasn’t me! ¿Se puede bloguear correctamente en español? Pos claro 
Posted on June 28th, 2007 by admin
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This is the first sentence in my first blog and it rules, the blog that is, not the sentence!
Posted on June 28th, 2007 by admin
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