How to Use Computers for ESL Lesson Plans
Using computers for ESL lessons may seem counterintuitive. After all, students become fluent in the language through interaction with others. However, many computer-based lesson plans can supplement other exercises, and they can be interactive as well. Furthermore, they give ESL students essential computer skills that they'll need for other coursework and their career. Plus, the students can use some of these exercises at home as well, developing their language skills outside of the classroom.
Instructions
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Pen Pals
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Sign your students up for pen pals, with whom they can exchange e-mails on a regular basis. This allows students to practice their reading and writing skills, another important part of human interaction. You could look for ESL or native English-speaking pen pals -- there are benefits to either situation. In some cases, two entire classrooms will partner and students will write to one another. Use the Resources with this article to search for pen pals.
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Determine how often students will e-mail their pen pals. Classroom partnerships offer an advantage here, as they allow you to coordinate a schedule with the other teacher. You could make e-mailing pen pals a weekly activity, and each teacher can choose a day when his class will write e-mails.
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Give students suggestions on what to write about, such as where they live and what they do for fun, as well as classroom activities. Encourage them to ask their pen pals lots of questions. They could also exchange pictures with their pen pals.
Online Forums
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Have students write posts on online ESL forums or other academic forums. Online forums are similar to pen pals, in that students use the Internet to talk with other people. They don't require a regular schedule, though.
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Give your students specific Web sites to go to, then monitor them carefully. These sites typically have a webmaster who screens content, but it's best to be careful. Sites could deal with language topics or anything else you've been covering in class, such as geography or history.
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Ask students to pick a post that interests them and respond. Give them a word count to aim for.
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Read students' responses. You could simply read them on the screen as students complete them, or have the students print out responses.
Research
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Assign students to write an essay, giving them a choice of prompts.
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Explain that they'll be researching their topic on the Internet. Make sure they understand that they'll be using evidence they find online to back up their own argument. A sample essay that you read and discuss together will help to make this clear.
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Give students a list of useful Web sites, explaining which types of Web sites are appropriate.
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Model for students how to search for information on a topic using these sites.
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Have students begin researching. Make your way around the room, answering questions and helping anyone who seems stuck. Read students' writing as they compose their essays, focusing on how they use their sources.
Listening Exercises
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Find listening exercises online for students to listen to and discuss. Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab offers many conversations on numerous topics. Select one that is appropriate for your particular lesson and level of students.
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Tell students to listen for the main idea, and play the conversation for them.
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Ask students what the speakers were talking about.
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Play the conversation again, asking students to listen for details.
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Discuss what they heard. If anyone has a question about a word, ask other students whether they can answer it.
Games
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Visit EnglishClub.com to select your favorite ESL computer games. Many online games geared toward ESL students add variety while building language skills. You might select certain games, or give students a choice of a handful. Write the Web addresses on the blackboard so they can go directly to the sites, instead of getting distracted by other options.
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Have students play in pairs when the game lends itself to this, so they're interacting with each other as well as the game.
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Allow them to play these games at designated times, such as after lunch or on Friday afternoons, as a special treat.
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