How to use chat Prof; Dr: Sabri Koc Prepared by: Najah Albelazi

The outlines Chat in language teaching. Types of chat. Chat programs. Why use chat in language teaching. How to start using text or voice chat with learners. How to structure a text or voice chat lesson. A sample text chat lesson plan.

Chat in language teaching Chat has enormous potential to link students around the word, in real time. It is a technology that many learners will often be familiar with and will use in their social lives, so it is worth exploiting in the classroom where possiple.

Chat in language teaching Teachers also look at the most likely application of chat, which is outside the classroom, where learners in the same class chat together (or with the teacher) to improve their English as part of their homework or self- study activities.

Using chat in the class

Types of chat chat is a tool that allows for synchronous i.e. real-time, communication over the Internet. When talking chat, we need to distinguish between text and audio chat, and between public and private chat.

The differences between text and audio chat Text chat: Communication between chat users take place typed text. the user types their messsage into the chat program, sends it, and it istantly appears on the screen (s)of the user(s). Audio or voice chat: Communication between chat users take plase audio, much like a phone conversation, but it is coducting on the Internet. Fast gaining ground in what is known P2P(peer-to-peer). For example, Skype which is free. learners need to have microphone and speakers or headphones.

The differences between ppuplic and private chat Public chat There are innumerable public chat rooms on the Internet which any user can join. Here users don't know each other and users may decide to use an alias name instead of real name. A typical example of a public chat forum is Yahoo chat(www. chat.yahoo.com) Private chat This inquires the installation of a client program, which connects individual users over the Internet. Private texts are known as instant messaging, for example, Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk and MSN messenger. Other chat programs you may come across are Qnext, NET messenger service, iChat and Jabber.

Examples of chat

The types of chat  Free topic chats There's no topic or agenda set for the chat, and no specific moderator role. E.g. learners meeting in pairs or in groups to practice English together.  Collaborative, task-oriented chats Learners meet and chat out of class to complete a real task, such as, preparing PowerPoint presentation or putting together the results of a survey.

The types of chat  Informative or academic chats This kind of chat disseminates information. For example, a learner or teacher gives a presentation on a topic and chat.  Practice chat These chats practice a specific function or form of language, or a specific skill or strategy, and take place out of class time. E.g. voice chat practicing a telephone interview, practicing pronunciation features in voice chat and practicing specific language form.

Chat programs There are some of the chat programs currently available, for both text and voice chat. E.g., Skype( The Skype screenshot shows both text chat and voice chat. There are some programs available for free, which allow video and audio conferencing alongside other tools. One well-known program is: NetMeeting( eeting/), which works with windows. It is being superseded by windows meeting space.

Why use chat in language teaching? A teacher deciding whether to use chat with learners who meet face-to-face on regular basic will ask the following questions: Does using text or voice chat with learners improve their English? What kind of English should learners use in chat? What technical skills do teachers and learners need to be able to use chat?

Why use chat in language teaching? What benefits does the use of chat bring to the class? Is it better to use text or voice chat with learners?

Does using text or voice chat with learners improve their English Using tools such as synchronous text chat can improve learners’ language abilities. Studies to date seem to point to text chat providing opportunities for negotiation meaning.

What kind of English should learners use in chat? Students generally use standard written English conversations in text chat and . They are meant to be using chat as another way to improve and practice their language. Perhaps worth teaching are:  Common abbreviation used in text chat, such as, btw for by the way.  Some basic rules of Netiquette(or online communication etiquette) which can apply to both text and voice chat.

What kind of English should learners use in chat?  In text chat, introducing learners to some basic conventions is worthwhile preparing for using this medium of communication efficiently and smoothly.  Example conventions include using “….” to show that you haven’t finished your turn.

What technical skills do teachers and learners need to be able to use chat? The fact that learners are increasingly using text and voice chat in their personal lives, to communicate with family and friends, so many are familiar with chat. Current chat software is easy to install and use, so no special technical skills are needed by either teachers or learners.

What benefits does the use of chat bring to the class? By using chat with the learners in the classroom, the teacher is: bringing current technology into the language learning process. Creating variety by using new tool. Opening up the possibilities of contacting and communicating with classes in other parts of the word.

Is it better to use text or voice chat with learners? Text chat and voice chat are two entirely different media. Text chat requires written interaction, while voice chat relies on spoken interaction. Learners are using two different sets of skills for these two means of communication. Page (77-78).

How to start using text and voice chat with learners? To start using chat in the classroom, we’d suggest a carefully staged approach, which will help get both learners and teachers familiar with the chat program, how it works and what it can be used for. Step1- Install and learn to use the software. Step2- A practice chat class. Step3- Contact with another class.

How to structure a text or voice chat lesson A chat lesson needs a clear structure and aims. First, ask yourself what learners will get out of your chat. There are several benefits for learners: contact with other learners/cultures. real communication with a real purpose. use of a new medium in the classroom. a chance to practice written/spoken English.

How to structure a text or voice chat lesson Any chat lesson (text/voice) should include the following broad stages: An introductory/warmer phase. The main content of the chat. A closing stage.

A sample text chat lesson plan This sample lesson describes a first text chat between two low language level secondary school classes who are geographically separated, preferably in different countries. The aim of the chat is for learners to find things about their partner and to build up a profile of that partner.

A sample text chat lesson plan Before the class The teacher needs to first make contact with the teacher of similar class in terms of level, class size and access to technology. We recommended that the learners meet each other and exchange, class project using blogs and wikis, and that the chat allows them to meet in real time, not for the first time.

Examples of chat

A sample text chat lesson plan Classroom management issues Learners are put in pairs for the first chat, with one learner in class A and the other learner in class B, each sitting at an individual computer. For classes with fewer computers than learners, learners can either conduct the chat in pairs, or consecutive learners can be allowed to access to the same computer for a certain amount of time.

A sample text chat lesson plan During the chat First hand out worksheets, which your learners will need to complete during the chat. Note that each partner has different worksheet. Note that these sample worksheets can easily be changed to reflect adult interests for low language level adult classes. Learners text chat to their partners in the class, and make notes on their worksheets.

A sample text chat lesson plan After the chat Each learners now has information about individual in the other class, and can draw up a profile of that individual.

Using chat in the class

A summary of issues on using text/voice chat with learners Try the software out. Make contact. Set a clear task. The purpose of using the chat. The ideal group size. Record the chat. Have a continuing plan.

Conclusions In this chapter we have: Considered how chat can be used both in and outside the classroom. Given some examples of chat programs. Discussed why a teacher might want to use chat with learners. Looking at some of the advantages and disadvantages of using text and voice with learners.

Conclusions Looked in detail at how to implement text or voice chat with learners, and outlined a sample text chat class. Provided a final summary on using text or chat with learners.

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