Favorite Links

I've arranged these links into several categories. I'll include teaching resources, language learning resources, and links to pages that I find helpful in my own language study.

Online dictionaries/translation sites:
YourDictionary
PopJisyo

Social Networking:
Lang-8
Facebook

Communication/Interaction:
Skype
Yahoo Messenger

Digital Flash cards:
Flashcard Exchange
Quizlet
Reviewing the Kanji

Online activities/Applications:
Lextutor - Cloze passage builder Read more!

About Me

Hi. My name is Stephanie. I have a BA in English from the University of Vermont and I am currently a TESOL Graduate Student at St. Michael's College. I also work at St. Michael's College as a Graduate Assistant and as a Student Assistant for International Students. My favorite part of my job at St. Michaels is conversing with other students, especially those that are from different countries and language backgrounds.

I've been studying Japanese since High School, and I would love to teach English in Japan someday.

My hobbies include travelling, watching movies, spending time with my family and friends, playing with my dog, and working on craft/art projects. My faith is very important to me, and although it is often a struggle, I trust that God has a plan for me. I am continually amazed by the grace and forgiveness He shows me. 1 John 1:10 Read more!

Lang-8

In my CALL class, we're looking at different ways that computers and technology can be used in language learning. I went to my Professor's office today to introduce myself, and we began discussing some of the ways students can use online interaction for language practice. She showed me a new book that she had recently found about practical applications of CALL, and one of the heavily underlined sections on Grammar stood out to me. It mentioned that students learn grammar best when they have the opportunity to produce sentences including whatever grammar points are being taught. However, it is additionally helpful for this grammar production to take place in interaction with others, making online/computer based interactions specifically helpful.

This point reminded me of a post I had read a week or so ago at tofugu.com (A special thanks to Koichi, and his fantastic blog on Japanese language and culture.) In this post, Koichi describes Lang-8, a kind of social networking site with a focus on language learning.
I checked it out, and this site is really cool. Members sign up, specify which language is their native language, and which language(s) they are learning. As a member, you can write journal entries in the language you are learning, which can then be corrected by native speakers of that language. You can also edit others' journal entries, if they are writing in your own language. Lang-8 is a great way to practice grammar, because it allows authentic interactions between language learners and native speakers. It also breaks down the distance barrier, allowing people from different parts of the world to interact.

On the downside, Lang-8's site is only available in English, Japanese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Spanish, and Korean. For students who are not especially proficient in these languages, set-up might be a little difficult at first, but with some guidance, I think students would be able to figure out how to post journal entries and comments.

I like Lang-8 as a tool to practice my Japanese, but it would definitely be a great tool for EFL and ESOL classes. It expands the classroom to include people from all around the world, thus increasing interactions between students of English and native speakers. Read more!

こんいちは

こんいちは。 私の名前はステファニーです。 サントマィケルズ大学校の院生です。 第二言語としての英語教育を勉強します。趣味は映画で、 旅行することで、 物を手作りで作ることです。そして、友達と家族が好きです。 高校と大学校で日本語を勉強しました。いつか、 日本で英語を教えりたい。

(Sorry, there are probably a lot of grammar mistakes. I'm working on it though) Read more!

First Post

I've actually been meaning to start blogging again. Lately, I just haven't been entirely inspired, or haven't found the time. However, I'm currently taking an online class through St. Michael's College called Computer Assisted Language Learning. It seems like it will be very interesting. I haven't had much experience using technology in my own language learning or teaching, but I'm excited to see the many different ways computers and online resources can be used. Especially in learning other languages, the internet is great because there are so many people with different linguistic backgrounds all in the same environment. Distance is diminished and communication can connect people from opposite sides of the world.

I will be using this blog as a place to share what I've learned in this course. I will also post links to CALL materials and resources I investigate.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope that it is informative and interesting! Read more!