Download via the link here, Grammarly, a useful proofreading and grammar checking tool that uses powerful grammar checking technology to trace and find mistakes in users’ writing and gives direct to the point explanations and suggestion to improve it. Once it is installed, users will notice there is an additional Grammarly tab added in the menu bar.

To check and analyze grammar mistakes, users just need to click on the “Check Grammar” button and the checker will do the checking and analyzing online instantly. It will give users a comprehensive report on their grammar as well as problems in spelling, plagiarism, vocabulary, etc. This grammar checking tool’s report is quite comprehensive and detailed. However, it doesn’t correct or rectify your mistakes. Users need to subscribe and pay to get the grammar checking tool to correct errors for you. Grammarly is compatible with MS Office 2003, 2007 and 2010.

For more info: http://www.grammarly.com/

Using technology in the classrooms is not solely about creating the “wow” factor, in which students are left amazed but with minimal learning. A typical example would be showing students a 20-minutes video clip that they would go “wow” because of the animation but they learn nothing on learning content. This leads to the need for teachers to consider the pedagogical aspect of each technology. Careful planning and attention are needed in order to maximise learning via technology. Decide and evaluate whether such technology is necessary before using it. In this digital age, sometimes the chalk and the blackboard may be far more effective than a PowerPoint presentation! What matters is how a technology is used!

Here are some useful resources for your reading:

• Controversies in using technology in language teaching
• Selecting and integrating CALL software programs into the EFL classroom
• Digital stories in the ESL classroom
• Technology in the ESL Classroom

Do subscribe to ValenESL for more useful videos.

Well, you can now say goodbye to the conventional scrap book or poster activities (typical large-size “mahjong papers” in Malaysian classroom) especially when your students can gain access to computers and internet connection (I guess most schools are equipped with these facilities now). If there are limited computers in your school, you could use Glogster as a group activitiy or project. Ask them to work on a specific reading text such as a short story or even as means to generate ideas for writing.

Glogster is fun and engaging because unlike blogging, it is filled with interactive multimedia content. The best thing about Glogster is that you’re giving your students an authentic audience rather than presenting their work solely to their peers in class. Imagine when they can go back home and show their parents or neigbours what they did in the classroom using Glogster! You’ll be amaze with your students’ work! Of course, there has been issues on the kind of pictures or images published on Glogster as you’ll see some pictures that are inappropriate in school settings. Well, as teachers, you can always make the rules clear on what kind of images are allowed and make them realise the importance of making the images relevant to the content.

I guess it’s about time for teachers in Malaysia to incorporate various Web 2.0 tools available on the net to maximise learning. The boring lecturer-based lessons are now obsolete, especially in the era where students are well-equipped with mobile phones, and various technology gadgets. Instead of banning them, why don’t use it for the benefit of their learning!

Here is an example of what she offers on YouTube:

Do subscribe to her channel on YouTube for more updates: http://www.youtube.com/user/JenniferESL

Below are the criteria commonly used to evaluate ESL software:

Features Set
ESL software should offer a number of practical teaching features like images, games, record, playback and compare and a glossary.

Fundamentals
ESL software should teach the fundamentals of English including reading, writing, comprehension, vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar and cultural aspects of English speaking countries.

Ease of Use
The ESL program should be user–friendly so anyone can successfully learn English regardless of their previous knowledge of English or their experience with computers.

Effectiveness
The focus of ESL software is to teach English. The best programs teach using a variety of tools and proven methods that cater to people’s various learning styles. This requires a quick research on what the software could offer in the long run. Do a needs analysis and compare those needs with the software content.

Ease of Installation/Setup
ESL software should be simple to install and setup on your computer. The software should come with installation instructions to guide you through the setup process.

Technical Help/Support
The best manufacturers provide adequate help and support to their customers. Help and support may come through email, phone, FAQs pages and knowledge bases.

Download The File

To get there, just head to the Apple iTunes Music Store, then go to Podcast -> Education -> Language Courses. You can get started perfecting your Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or Italian (to name some of the most popular) in no time, and best of all, they’re mostly all free. Try out the fun way of learning a language!