1) I would tell them that it was a forum for them to practice and use the language without fear of being corrected every second over correct pronunciation and grammar. I would welcome mistakes. One problem I encounter all the time is that my students try to simply type English into a translator website and then copy and paste the translated text as their own words. It is immediately obvious when a student does this, and i would like to encourage them to use the Spanish in their brains, rather than an incorrectly translated work from the Internet site.
National standards met:
Link to national standards
Technology Integration
COMMUNICATION Communicate in Languages Other Than English
Standard 1.1: Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions
Standard 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics Standard 1.3: Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
COMMUNITIES Participate in Multilingual Communities at Home & Around the World
Standard 5.1: Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting
Standard 5.2: Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.
2) Allow for a cultural blog to be set up (focusing on customs, fashion, foods, etc.) I would encourage my students to blog in English, (or Spanish if desired) in order to encourage and motivate students to want to explore the cultures of Spanish speaking peoples. They could post travel photos, recipes, music links, etc. I love this idea!!! It also satisfies ALL National Standards for teaching L2.
COMMUNICATION
Communicate in Languages Other Than English
Standard 1.1: Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions
Standard 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics Standard 1.3: Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
CULTURES Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures
Standard 2.1: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied
Standard 2.2: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied
CONNECTIONS Connect with Other Disciplines and Acquire Information
Standard 3.1: Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language
Standard 3.2: Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through foreign language study
COMPARISONS Develop Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture
Standard 4.1: Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own
Standard 4.2: Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.
COMMUNITIES Participate in Multilingual Communities at Home & Around the World
Standard 5.1: Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting
Standard 5.2: Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.
You have mentioned two good ways to use blogs- to practice L2 and to write about culture in L1. Let us know if you try out these ideas and how they go.
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