Mod 11: How could I use ePals in my ESL/EFL classroom?

After exploring the ePals, I have been thinking deeply about how I could truly incorporate ePals to my exam-oriented ESL classroom. Finally, I have concluded three ways which may benefit my students in the long run.

Firstly, I would like to have students participate in the forum of environmental concerns at ePals such as global warming, how to recycle, etc. By so doing, students are much more aware of the environmental issues which may facilitate their critical thinking and broaden their background knowledge for exams. In addition, students would be able to bring up their ideas, shares their ideas, give comments, and receive advice with other students oreachers around the world. I think participating in the forum with people around the world at ePals is motivating to my students because they may realize learning a second language is really important for it helps them communicate and express ideas with others. Most importantly, learning is not just limited to their native contexts.

Secondly, I have been asked by many of my students that how they could have foreign (pen) pals. Now it seems like ePals provides them with great opportunities to make friends with students all over the world. In addition, it is also the leading provider of safe collaborative technology for schools to connect and learn in a protected, project-based learning network. Therefore, I believe parents would agree if their children want to make epals through this website. To encourage my students, I would have them make epals through written contexts. They can either write each other by emails or regular mails. In this way, they can not only practice their writing but also get to know each other interculturally.

Thirdly, since ePals is not just for students but for teachers, I would like to engage myself to connect with teachers around the world, too. I would like to exchange ideas, lesson plans and even discuss classroom management with them. In this way, I may motivate myself to keep moving forward and to become a real professional teacher in the future.

All in all, there are still a lot I need to dig up at ePals. I am looking forward to being inspired through ePals.com soon!