martes, 28 de junio de 2011

5 reasons why EFL blogging is a good idea

Five reasons why EFL blogging is a good idea 
Expanding students' consciousness

The first reason why we can consider EFL blogging a good idea is because, if the topics included on the blog are motivating enough, learners will feel the need to talk among one another about them , i.e., of having CONVERSATIONS. What's more, eventually, these conversations will lead them to elaborate CHAINS OF THOUGHT which will have a real MEANING for them. Consequently, the new information will become A REAL PART OF THE STUDENTS' PSYCHOLOGICAL / MENTAL SCHEME  and the acquired knowledge will be not only perdurable but also much easier to retrieve in case it's needed.

The second reason why EFL blogging is a good idea is connected with the reason mentioned above. As while they are blogging students are talking among one another -and with their teacher as well- they are in fact talking to a REAL AUDIENCE. Therefore, their talking has a REAL PURPOSE.  Most importantly, as blogs are on the web, THE AUDIENCE CAN END UP BEING MUCH LARGER THAN THE CLASS ITSELF. The student/blogger audience can include people from other courses, people from other schools, people of a different sex, people of a different age, people from a different city,  people from a different province, even people from a different country!

Thirdly, and also in connection with the first and the second reason,  EFL blogging  gives students the possibility of having  a MUCH GREATER EXPOSURE to the foreign language than the one the teacher can offer them within the four corners of  the"English classroom". Students usually only have classes twice, if they are really lucky, thrice a week, for one hour or one hour and a half each time.  Through a blog, students are free to be in contact with English 24 hours a day seven days of a week if they feel like it :)

In a fourth place,  EFL blogging is a good idea since it helps students and teachers to develop or enhance HIGHER THINKING SKILLS like reflecting, analysing and synthesising; all of them are needed when wanting to make a sensible post or to leave an intelligent comment.

Finally, EFL blogging is a good idea when there are SHY STUDENTS or SLOWER STUDENTS in a class . As  blogs don't force learners to show their faces, they can serve as a tool to help shy students to feel more self - confident to participate and collaborate with their lessons of English. As far as slower students are concerned, blogs also allow each person to work at their own pace, giving these students the time they need to process new knowledge and, what is even more important, they have the chance of being helped by other classmates who are posting and and commenting as well.

sábado, 25 de junio de 2011

The sleeping beauty has woken up :)

Well, it was not soon but I'm writing in this blog again thanks to Carla and WELL2 :) I'm facing my fears connected with the web... connected with the world? Maybe...
I'll do my homework a.s.a.p :) I have two students this afternoon (which seems is going to be cold, wet and grey) and one loving / beloved boyfriend who claims to be given some attention :P
I'm happy Sonetina is awake again!

martes, 15 de marzo de 2011

Being a "natural born blogger"

My only follower, who is also my teacher, has told me that I am a "natural born blogger" I think that she is possibly right... I have always liked writing and I also like sharing my thoughts with others :). In this ocean of solitude that life can sometimes be, it is nice to know that you may send a message and that somebody will receive it and attend your call...  As Celia Cruz wisely sings: "En la vida no hay nadie solo, siempre hay alguien" :)

lunes, 14 de marzo de 2011

My birth as a blogger... Not as painful as my birth as a human being (until now at least)

Well, this is my first blog ever... I don't understand much about this... But people keep on saying that we should have a blog to keep up with new technologies... So, here I am...scared to death... jumping into the unknown... I have no idea what blogging means... Consequently this will probably be just a collection of experiences and thoughts of what is going on with my life as time goes by... Some kind of public "dear diary"... I hope my reflections help you in some way... I hope yours will help me ...
I'll be writing again soon!
Love,
Sonetina