Breaking News English

The front page

General information and functions for language classroom

Although it seems to focus on reading skill (from its explicit article 'Breaking News English'), it contains mp3 listening and grammar exercises are embedded. All exercises are built up in logical sequence: before, during and after reading/ listening to the news.

The link: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/

It is an up-to-date website, the recent news' articles and exercises are updated.

Suggested activities to do with this technology    

1. Reading comprehension
2. Reading test (since the material can be printed as PDF file)
3. Listening practice

Sample of exercise; listen and fill in the gap

4. News reading game (competition among groups of students or pair works)
5. Comparing news between this site and other commercial newspaper's site (i.e. BBC)

Advantages

The advantages of using this site is the students practice not only reading skill, but also catch up with daily news. They will find its usefulness and up-to-date article.

Since all of the exercises are written in logical sequences, so that the teacher does not have to reorder again and also can print out as a PDF file. Therefore, before using this material, the teacher only have to check the difficulty level of the passage, and select some interesting exercises which suits for the students.

Lastly, this site promotes authentic reading material where the contents are about daily events. It is worth noting that in real life, students will have experience reading or catching up news on the internet. Hence, this site is a good source to build up their critical reading skill.

Disadvantages and some limitations

There are two major considerable points to concern before using; one is the plain design template and another is the difficulty level of the text.

First and foremost, it is clearly seen that this webpage is full of text, and no visual aids (except some unrelated adverts!). Therefore, the students might get bored or overwhelmed by the text. Moreover, external links and ads are mixed, thus it is difficult to differentiate between the actual site and the irrelevance adverts.

Lastly, it is important to note that the language is quite difficult. I suggest, pre-intermediate or intermediate students are suitable and they also need to learn critical reading strategies alongside of the lesson.

Vocabulary by Learning Chocolate

General information and functions for language classroom

Learning chocolate is a website where the studnets can learn a set of vocabulary in a time.The website allocates the vocabulary in several categories where the students can choose for themselves. Moreover, the pictures are colourful and attractive. Therefore, visual learners will like it.

Noting that pronunciation guide is included, by clicking on the amplifier icon next to the word, the correct pronunciation will be uttered.

Moreover, after learning each category, the students can test their understanding and memory by doing the exercise showing at the top menu bar.







http://www.learningchocolate.com/

Suggested activities to do with this technology

1. vocabulary competition (the students learn and try to remember as much as possible, then write down without open the page)
2. dictation (study as a homework then have dictation on the next day)
3. pronunciation (see the word and pronounce together in class, and recheck by the teacher clicking on the pronounce icon)
4. writing a sentence (the students write a sentence from the shown vocabulary)
5. grammar (write the sentence from studied grammar with presented vocabulary on the website.)

The advantages

The students can learn autonomously and chose what interesting to them. In addition, colours and pictures are attracting to them to learn vocabulary instead of writing in order as the tradition way. Therefore, with the website itself and the convenient time and place for the learners, this condition can enable vocabulary learning in a positive way: learners enjoy learning at anytime they want.

Disadvantages and some limitations

After using this website two or three times, the students might get used to it. Therefore, the teacher should balance and use it not too often. Furthermore, the vocabulary set does not cover all wanted words, then the teacher may be required to supplement necessary word outside.