Hi, My name is Mihaela Meterna, I am an English teacher at National College” Radu Negru” from Fagaras, Romania, and I invite you and your students to open a cooperation with my students by writing emails to one each other and maybe to be part in school projects on different subjects interested for both sides; using video conferences for the projects, power point presentations and creating a common blog; all these using and improving a foreign language, English -- a bridge for people all over the world --. My students are aged between 15-19 and they are eager to make friends all over Europe and to find out more information about the historical and cultural background of students of their age all over the world; and why not to open challenges on different subjects like history, science, foreign language and so on. I work on my paper for the first degree in teaching, ( the higher one) here in Romania and my theme is:” Teaching English By Means Of New Technology, Especially By Using The Internet “: emails, online video conferences, a common blog, and so on. I intend to show that using the latest technology for communicating does not mean only short cuts or bad writing in order to be a quicker interlocutor. Standard English has to be used according to the language register as we can speak about vertical register, horizontal register, slang, etc and we should all—teachers and students-- be aware of how and when do we use it. We should make the difference of the language we use depending on the situation we are in , a friendly or a formal one__ online interviews, formal letters, cover letters, résumés and so on.__ or the person to whom we are addressing to__ a very good friend, people from the same job category, or a person with a higher position__ for if we respect ourselves and the people around us, and we will be respected , too.

• Subjects: Art, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Citizenship, Economics, Environmental Education, European Studies, Foreign Languages, Geography, Geology, Health Studies, History, Home economics, Informatics / ICT, Law, Music, Natural Sciences, Physical Education, Primary School Subjects
• Languages: EN
• Pupil's age: 15 - 19
• Tools to be used: Chat, e-mail, Other software (Powerpoint, video, pictures and drawings), Video conference, Web publishing
• Aims: - to develop writing and reading skills in a foreign language through emails; - to communicate efficiently with both classmates and... read more- to develop writing and reading skills in a foreign language through emails; - to communicate efficiently with both classmates and partners abroad; - to make new friends and share ideas and opinions - to develop their inter-cultural skills. - to use ICT collaborative tools - to be part in school projects on different subjects interested for both sides and to open challenges on different subjects like history, science, foreign language and many others agreed by both sides. - to learn to use the standard English language register as the internet language , too; the vertical language register ,the horizontal one, slang etc; and how and when do we use it: on online interviews, formal letters, cover letters, résumés etc. - to take digital pictures and use them during the project hide
• Work process: 1. Check-list for teachers Depending on the age and the maturity of pupils, the teachers decide on how much freedom the... read more1. Check-list for teachers Depending on the age and the maturity of pupils, the teachers decide on how much freedom the pupils will get in the blog and projects' creation process and on how complex their e-journal will be; - get familiar with the ICT tools needed for the project; - get organized for information collection and collaborative writing process. They either work with their classmates or their partners from abroad. With the help of their teacher, they decide on who will be responsible for which task (information collection, writing the draft, taking pictures, handling ICT tools, proof-reading, etc.) - choose relevant topics for their projects and agree on them with their classmates/partners. The topics can go from general ones (culture, costumes, everyday life, habits, holidays, etc.) for younger pupils or beginners at foreign language to specific and more challenging ones (politics, social life, culture, art, etc.) for older or linguistically more advanced pupils. - acquire language skills needed for their task: via reading and working on similar projects , studying the vocabulary related to the topic, etc. 2. Collecting and sorting the information. Pupils find, select and organize material on the chosen topic (via Internet and/or library); - They brainstorm their ideas and prepare drafts of the emails, projects, respecting the approach they have chosen; - They decide on the layout of their emails or projects and on the pictures, which will illustrate the ideas expressed in the text; - Teachers monitor pupils´ work, guide them through the process and help them cope with challenges of collaborative writing in a foreign language. - 3. Sending their emails and the project works - When writing the final version of the email or project work , pupils take into account the comments made by the other members of the team concerning the quality of the language, content, layout and pictures; - They quote the sources of information provided in their emails or works properly; - Students insert them in the Twinspace and send them to their partners - Finally, teachers as administrators give the green line. 4. Learning with and from each other - Students read their partners’ or other teams’ emails and project works; - They exchange comments and, ideas. They consider the quality of the language, content, layout and the relevance of the pictures or presentations used; - They insert the emails and their project work into an on-line blog created by partners, if the tool used allows it. They decide and agree on the blog design (logo, front page). They organize emails and projects according to the sections they agreed on at the beginning; - They try to find common features and differences in the perception of the chosen topic in their countries. hide
• Expected results: - to gain a better mastering of the English language both spoken or written in a more pleasant and interesting... read more - to gain a better mastering of the English language both spoken or written in a more pleasant and interesting way - to create a common blog with ideas and impressions from all participants -to acquire self- confidence in dealing with a foreign language. - to open a new cooperative window for all the countries involved in the project -to learn , to have fun, and exchange great ideas all at the same time. - feeling great writing and speaking a foreign language and making new friends. hide

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