Qué pasa? Quoi de neuf? Was gibt’s Neues? Using Twitter for Language Learning

What is twitter? social networking and microblogging service social networking and microblogging service 140 characters per update (tweet) 140 characters per update (tweet) How to set up a twitter account: How-To-Use-Twitter How to set up a twitter account: How-To-Use-Twitter How-To-Use-Twitter How-To-Use-Twitter

Benefits of using Twitter It’s active. It’s active. It’s social. It’s social. It’s quick. Tweets are short. It’s quick. Tweets are short. It gives learners the chance to produce language. It gives learners the chance to produce language. It’s accessible to everyone. It’s accessible to everyone. It can be updated on the go/mobile. It can be updated on the go/mobile. It’s a tool for conversational practice. It’s a tool for conversational practice. It’s a tool for intercultural exchange. It’s a tool for intercultural exchange.

Benefits of using Twitter (cont.) It’s a tool for sharing information and materials. It’s a tool for sharing information and materials. It’s a tool for making introductions. It’s a tool for making introductions. It’s a tool for giving instructions and show ability to understand. It’s a tool for giving instructions and show ability to understand. Learners can constantly pick up new words and phrases Learners can constantly pick up new words and phrases Many people who tweet have blogs and website where learners can read more in-depth material (reading comprehension). Many people who tweet have blogs and website where learners can read more in-depth material (reading comprehension).

Possible drawbacks 140 characters can be too short to form coherent sentences. 140 characters can be too short to form coherent sentences. Abbreviations and “text-speak” Abbreviations and “text-speak” Tweets might not be posted by native speakers and therefore include mistakes. Tweets might not be posted by native speakers and therefore include mistakes.

Tips Follow native speakers Follow native speakers Interact with native speakers and other learners Interact with native speakers and other learners Don’t be shy. Mistakes are part of learning and you only have 140 characters anyway Don’t be shy. Mistakes are part of learning and you only have 140 characters anyway Read tweets whenever you can Read tweets whenever you can Follow people who are interesting to you Follow people who are interesting to you Don’t follow too many people Don’t follow too many people

Who should I follow? Use the search tool and Google to find people you might like to follow Use the search tool and Google to find people you might like to follow Use Twitter directories, such as Use Twitter directories, such as Organisations and newspapers Organisations and has has created suggestion lists for the most popular languages

Other useful web 2.0 tools Specialised online communities, such as Specialised online communities, such as Blogs – read them, comment on them, write your own Blogs – read them, comment on them, write your own Virtual Worlds – meet native speakers Virtual Worlds – meet native speakers Discussion forums – take part in discussions on a topics that interests you Discussion forums – take part in discussions on a topics that interests you Facebook – meet native speakers Facebook – meet native speakers

Any questions? Ask Ask For more of our language resources and to find out about our Language Exchange Scheme: For more of our language resources and to find out about our Language Exchange Scheme:

Read more (References and suggested links) Aspiring Polyglot: (several entries) Aspiring Polyglot: (several entries) Que fais tu? Twitter for Language and Culture Que fais tu? Twitter for Language and Culture Microblogging for Language Learning: learning-using-twitter-to-train-communicative-and-cultural- competence Microblogging for Language Learning: learning-using-twitter-to-train-communicative-and-cultural- competence learning-using-twitter-to-train-communicative-and-cultural- competence learning-using-twitter-to-train-communicative-and-cultural- competence europa.org/plus/welcome.htm europa.org/plus/welcome.htmhttp:// europa.org/plus/welcome.htmhttp:// europa.org/plus/welcome.htm Special thanks @theresaBT as well Special thanks @theresaBT as well