NECC 2008 Reflections: Using Blogs, Podcasts, and Other Tools in the ESL/EFL Class

Using Blogs, Podcasts, and Other Tools in the ESL/EFL Class
Juan Rozo, Colegio Anglo Colombiano (Colombia)


Juan Rozo from Bogota, Colombia shared some uses of Web 2.0 tools in the ESL/EFL classroom. (In Colombia, English is EFL – English as a Foreign Language.) I can’t say there was anything earth shattering in this presentation but it was interesting hearing an approach from a non- native English speaking classroom. The concept Rozo best brought to light for me was utilizing podcasts of interest for students to increase the English speaking voices they hear…different accents, vernacular, etc. There’s a podcast in English about just about everything and they tend to be more interesting than typical, prescribed listening exercises. Also, leaving assignments orally on a website, interviews, audio plays, digital storytelling, etc. are other ways to enhance listening skills.