I have some Basic Skills and ESOL students who are very keen to communicate
with others over the Internet as a way of practising their reading and
writing.
We used the message board set up by the Hampshire Basic Skills Online team
last year and though it was never terribly widely used, those who did use it
were really enthusiastic about it. Now no-one seems to be using it anymore
and I have a few very disappointed people who've checked it in vain over the
last few weeks and found no new messages :(
So, I've set up a similar one. Actually I've had one for ages but it was a
bit complicated. I've now replaced it with one that's very simple to use:
learners don't need
their own email address; it asks for their name and where they are from but
they needn't give full details just a first name/nickname and city or
country; then they just write a mesasge and hit a button. It's not password
protected. I think some people like the 'safety' of the password protected
Hampshire board (it's still there so use it if you do, Hampshire people!!!!
We'll come back if you do!!!) Mine is totally public so we could get all
sorts popping in (??!!) but I will be monitoring it and will immediately
remove any inappropriate postings.
The idea is really for learners to use it, but it would be great to have
tutors' contributions too to help the learners' discussion along!
I'm wondering about posting a fortnightly/monthly (?) question or topic so
that the discussion doesn't die and there is some stimulus for writing.
Maybe...????
Please join us with your learners if you're interested. The main URL for my
site is www.btinternet.com/~trifonovs and you can follow the links to 'Jo's
new message board!'
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