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Double_Dragon
Joined: 12 Mar 2015
Posts: 70
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 Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 7:40 am Post subject: Potato |
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blergh
Last edited by Double_Dragon on Mon Dec 14, 2015 2:32 pm; edited 5 times in total |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 3:06 am Post subject: |
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I have some comments but they're based on major questions about both your topic and your actual assignment (i.e., "writing an article discussing the use of ICTs* in high school English classrooms"). From what I understand, you're focusing on the feasibility of online peer tutoring but in a global context.
Instead of eliciting random comments, perhaps you should approach this in the form of a survey. It will be easier for you to compile, organize, and synthesize the responses into useable information for your article/report.
*ICT = information and communication technologies |
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Double_Dragon
Joined: 12 Mar 2015
Posts: 70
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| Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 5:44 am Post subject: |
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blergh
Last edited by Double_Dragon on Sun Jul 12, 2015 1:25 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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buravirgil
Joined: 23 Jan 2014
Posts: 967
Location: Jiangxi Province, China
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| Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 6:34 am Post subject: |
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Are you aware of hellotalk.com ?
Because a free phone app(lication) is disruptive to for-profit models that are currently the "nexus of online teaching software."*
The ubiquity of mobile platforms is the goal of many commercial entities. Its rapidity has complicated efforts such as One Laptop per Child (OLPC).
I'm intrigued by your statement of, "The intention of this programme will be to assist disadvantaged foreign students with their English, whilst simultaneously solidifying the tutors' English knowledge." Is that reasoning along these lines?
*I don't mean Moodle, and others. But the one-to-one "Skype"-like services presently moving around some money. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 7:13 am Post subject: |
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| assist disadvantaged foreign students with their English |
How are you defining 'disadvantaged?'
Central and Eastern European students learn English at regular schools, usually taught by qualified local teachers (most of whom will certainly have more knowledge about English grammar than a typical UK or US high school student).
Who are these masses of disadvantaged students you hope to reach?
By the way, that's a nice article, buravirgil. Applies to EFL teachers in many parts of the world, certainly! |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:13 am Post subject: |
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| spiral78 wrote: |
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| assist disadvantaged foreign students with their English |
How are you defining 'disadvantaged?' |
That was one of the main questions I had.
My thoughts on this:
- There's the assumption that these EFL students aren't being taught English by qualified instructors. Plus, for some of the neediest countries, there are quite a few government and NGO education programs from the developed world addressing literacy/education issues.
- Schools in developing countries aren't likely to have the level of technology and technological infrastructure needed to accommodate online learning.
- Who will select, train, and supervise/mentor these online peer tutors? How will their English be assessed if the objective is to improve their own language skills? What about teaching materials? Understanding cultural contexts and boundaries?
- What language skills would the tutors focus on? Those the tutors themselves are the weakest in?
- Since it's global, how would such a widespread program be marketed and supported? How would you go about getting foreign education ministries/departments to buy-in to this idea?
- You mention this being an "enriching cultural exchange for all involved," yet, that's what a language exchange program does.
- You also stated that the "the objective for the native speaking peer tutors is to gain a more thorough understanding of their own language. This reason for this objective is the problem of falling literacy standards in the developed West." If that's the case, why not focus on peer tutoring within the developed West instead? |
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Double_Dragon
Joined: 12 Mar 2015
Posts: 70
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| Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 10:37 am Post subject: |
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blergh
Last edited by Double_Dragon on Sun Jul 12, 2015 1:26 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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MuscatGary
Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...
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| Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 10:54 am Post subject: |
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| Bah humbug! Shocking idea! Will deprive deprived esl/EFL teachers of the opportunity to make money from the disadvantaged. Get thee away you scoundrel. |
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