Online communication tools that facilitate interaction of participants in a virtual community and their role in language learning Teresa Almeida d'Eça TESOL 2003 "Hearing Every Voice" Baltimore, 26 March 2003

So far... and yet so close! Baltimore, 26 March 2003

Communications center Baltimore, 26 March 2003 MESSAGES ( )CHAT (YMessenger) Files Photos Members Links Calendar Database

Two main forms of communication used by WiA  asynchronous = on daily basis through group list  synchronous = chat on weekly basis at Tapped In Yahoo Messenger Wimba Voice Direct Baltimore, 26 March 2003

Tapped In (  international community of education professionals  text-only chat platform  Webheads weekly Sunday chat at 12:00 GMT  no fixed agenda  explore and test tools  show sites of interest  make presentations to the group  take part in online conferences  discuss curricular topics with students  have fun and socialize Baltimore, 26 March 2003

Yahoo Messenger (messenger.yahoo.com)  the '4 in 1' tool = practice of the four basic skills through  the '3 in 1' mode: text + audio + video Baltimore, 26 March 2003

Advantages of (a)synchronous communication for EFL/ESL  emphasis on 'communication' and 'authentic language'  'real' world, 'real' people, (not in) 'real' time  intensive practice of L2 Baltimore, 26 March 2003

Effects on the language learning process  added value  student-centered  intense language practice  interaction with people beyond students' usual range  collaborative and cooperative tasks = team work, mutual support and guidance  motivation, excitement and enrichment  interactions at 4 different levels = broader horizons  student-to-student  teacher-to-student  mentor/expert-to-student  student-to-materials/artifacts Baltimore, 26 March 2003

 practice comunicative skills  carrying on a conversation, interviewing, negotiating meaning  gain technological skills = computer literacy  practice social skills  greeting, introducing yourself, leave taking, turn taking  gain transferable skills = skills relevant to the world of work  group work, personal, interpersonal and organizational skills Baltimore, 26 March 2003

Disadvantages of synchronous (chat) communication for EFL/ESL  oversimplified language (f2f - gr8 - oic - ur)  time zones = need for time management  limitations to number of participants = need for groups  technical problems: may occur and cause disruptions  conflicts between operating systems  limitations of connection speeds  audio + video = system crash ? Baltimore, 26 March 2003

Conclusions Chat and contribute to:  practice of authentic language  community building  professional development  fascination, excitement and enrichment in L2 learning  fun, healthy socializing, mutual support, strong personal and professional bonds and allow 'hearing every voice'! Baltimore, 26 March 2003