Task 3: Video-Based Lesson Plan

Task 3: Video-Based Lesson Plan

Task 2: The Use of Blogs in ELT

Look for blogging activities on the Internet. Select one and explain it in detail (goals/objectives, skills, procedures, instructions, among other aspects). Then, answer the following:

1. Why you selected this particular activity and the aspects which called your attention.

2. The benefits of using this activity.

3. How you would adapt/implement this activity in your current teaching practicum.

In the blog that I found there are different activities. The one I chose is called "teaching with songs" and the objective is for students to learn vocabulary and grammar as simple present, perfect present, first conditional, among others with songs. Each song has a heart that represents the difficulty; it goes from the easiest to the most difficult. The instructions are that students have to listen and then complete the sentence with the missing verb or vocabulary. That is why, they have to be focused to choose the correct word and do the activity well.

I selected this activity because I found it interesting and entertaining for students to learn grammar and vocabulary with songs that they know. The aspects which called my attention was the songs were classified according to the type of difficulty and the content. I think mixing music and English motivates students to continue learning the language. In addition, they can practice the pronunciation of words and understand the meaning of the lyrics. Many times in classes the students get bored because they only use guides to learn vocabulary and grammar, so I think it is a good strategy to use music to acquire new knowledge.

I would adapt this activity according to the content that the students are seeing and I would implement it in my practice because in which course I have been, the teacher only uses the book and guides to pass and reinforce the content. The course has been a seventh grade so I have seen that students get bored because they have always done the same. That's why I think this activity would motivate them to learn new vocabulary, review different grammar times, know and have a good pronunciation of the words and practice listening. For example, if they are passing the past simple and sport vocabulary, I would put a song where they have to listen concentrated and complete with the verb and word that is missing. Then, to increase the difficulty, I would put another song where it is a missing phrase and have to complete.

Task 1: The 4 C's and Technology in ELT

1) Why do you think it is important to include the 4 C’s in language learning classes?

I think it is important to include the 4C's in language learning classes; because it allows the teacher to guide and approach the student to the language in an interesting way and also that they can acquire and develop their abilities in the language and daily life. Critical thinking helps students make decisions and have an opinion on a complex issue. Collaboration helps them to work as a team and share responsibilities. Communication helps students express their opinions and ideas in a good way and with creativity they acquire and transmit the language.

2) How do you think the 4 C’s are connected to the use of technology in the language learning classroom?

Nowadays, technology is part of our life and English teachers use it to teach the language in a creative way and make a good contribution to the learning process in students. So, I think that through this platform, they can develop the 4C's doing activities to learn or reinforce the content, making videos for the students to communicate and discuss issues and using blogs to share information between classmates and teacher. That is why it is a good strategy for students to develop the 4C's and the language.

3) As a prospective teacher, what would you do to foster the 4C’s in your language classroom? Think of factors such as activities, tasks, procedures, materials, among other aspects of teaching. Provide concrete examples.

As a prospective teacher I would do different activities using websites, videos, games and blogs to promote the 4C's and the English language, I think that students would be motivated to work like that. To exemplify, they would have to create a blog so they can develop their ideas and different points of view in front of a topic that has been seen in class. Also, students would share their work to receive feedback from their classmates and also make activities and videos to collaborate with teamwork and have a creative thinking. As a teacher would share information and evaluate from there.