Literature in the classroom

     Hi again! Today I want to talk to you about one of my greatest passions: LITERATURE! I have always loved reading any kind of books and I like using literature in my classes.+

     Literature has many benefits for students: it foster their imagination and creativity, helps them see the world in different ways, 

Besides, it broadens their social and global awareness as they are in contact with different characters with their own situations and problems.

     There are many webpages dealing with how to use literature in an ESL class, and I would highly encourage you to have a look at them.

     http://busyteacher.org/4946-9-tips-using-literature-esl-classroom.html

     http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/using-literature-introduction

     http://www.onestopenglish.com/methodology/methodology/teaching-materials/teaching-materials-using-literature-in-the-efl/-esl-classroom/146508.article

Voki

     Hey there!! Have you noticed  the little blond fairy on the right? She is an avatar from VOKI and it is a great tool both for students and teachers. It is a new way of presenting the contents of the lesson in a more dynamic and innovative  way, fostering this way the students'creativity and their motivation to learn.

     If you are a student just go to the Voki webpage (www.voki.com) and register. Now you can try different combinations to create your own avatar, and check the different accents available! Watch the following tutorial to create and publish your avatar.

     But, if you are a teacher, keep in mind that there are a lot of different uses for this tool. Here you will find an example of how to create a classroom:

     Hope you find this tool as useful as I do, so please go to the website and explore all its possibilities.

Christmas time!

     Well, well... It is Christmas time, and I know you don't want to study English right now... BUT I have a proposal for you... Why don't you try to practice English without noticing it?

     I am sure you have been hearing Christmas carols for weeks, and probably you love them, so let's play a game!

     Below you have the link to a great page. There you have to select your level and later fill in the missing words from the lyrics. It is funnier than it may seem, BELIEVE ME! I have searched for a Christmas carol, but in the page you have thousands of songs of any style.

http://es.lyricstraining.com/play/mariah-carey/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you/H8nMdGuUQ8

     Also, if you are a teacher, you can use it in the classroom. It is a different activity, and students love doing tasks outside the book.

     What are you waiting for? Go ahead!! TRY IT! You will love it!
 
     PS. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Wiki - Webquest

     Hello everybody! Today I want to tell you a new tool that I have discovered...  Webquests and Wikis in Wikispaces.com

     This post is specially addressed to teachers as it helps you create pages full with information, projects, events, or even set homework for your students. Moreover, you can check and assess the work that each pupil is doing from your home or office.

     Within the Wiki, you can create a Webquest, which mainly is a lesson with a task in which the students are intended to work by searching the web. Basically is a research project, with the guidance and assistance of a teacher. There are six steps to follow when creating a Webquest:

• Introduction: This section should be devoted to present the topic and the task that students will have to do.
• Task. Here you are supposed to explain what the activity is going to deal with, the requirements, the steps to follow, etc.
• Process: This part should include the details of the task and a good explanation of the task. Also, you have to include how many people will form a group and to specify which is the ultimate aim of the task.
• Resources. Here you should provide some links for students to check so as to do the activity.
• Evaluation: Also you have to include an evaluation rubric, because students need to be sure how they are going to be evaluated, and what is expected from them. 
• Conclusion: This part should be a summary of every step students have to take, so they are sure they have completed the task successfully.

     In short, I think this is a great way to work with students in a different way. As it is not the classic task, they would be more involved and more eager to participate. 

    I encourage you to try it!!

     PS. I already created one with a partner, have a look at it!

http://becauseenglishisfun.wikispaces.com/Introduction?responseToken=0ffeb1f1c2b7d761c295d16e49586db15

Diigo!

     I have recently found a very useful tool that helps you save all your bookmarks and tag as many webpages as you want, and it is called DIIGO. This is specially useful if you are constantly changing from one computer to another, as you will have all your bookmark gathered in one webpage.

     I am still no expert in this area, but my friend Patricia has written a great post about this in her own blog. Please check it out, I am sure you will use it.

http://www.thelanguagesteachercorner.blogspot.com.es/2015/12/diigo-data-saver-dont-forget-anything.html

     All you have to do is sign up in this page and start using it. Whenever you open a new website, you will be able to save it by using the diigolet button that you have to install.

Welcome you all!

     Welcome to my blog: Because English Is Fun!

     You may see learning languages (specially English) as more difficult than baptizing a cat... buuut if you follow this blog, you will realize that it is easier and funnier than you ever expected!

     Here you will find some useful material to both students and teachers. Hope you enjoy it!

     And of course, any comments or proposals are more than welcome!