One might wonder how the above-mentioned uses of technology help my students
learn French. As far as the actual language is concerned, the instruction of curricular
material via Power Point has heightened my student's motivation and has proven
to be a more interesting method in which to teach grammar, vocabulary, and culture.
In addition, the various
technology-driven activities provide extra practice so that my students feel
more confident and knowledgeable when they speak and write in French.
The use of epals and the discussion board has undoubtedly given the French 5
students extra practice in writing and their writing has indeed improved as a
result of this extra practice. With these written assignments and other creative
projects, the students are using the language for an end result, not merely learning
how to conjugate verbs and translate sentences. They are exploring and using
French in real-world contexts that provide a meaningful use of the language
and a productive change to the derived scenarios and activities provided in
their textbooks.
The exploration of real French websites have given my students opportunities
to read real-world French, not just the French written for their textbooks. Not
only are they exploring the sites for the information I ask of them, but they
are witnessing first-hand what a French language website looks like with things such
as advertisements, pop-ups, technology-related vocabulary, and slang French. This makes
the language real for my students and gives it real meaning in the world.
The use of visual and auditory technology through DVDs, videos, films and CDs
provides the students a focus on culture and real-life language use as well
as tone of speech, body language, gestures, and interaction with real target-language culture.
Although teachers share their expertise with their students and textbooks
provide grammatical structures, vocabulary lists, and activities to
support them, the language learners of the 21st century need more to truly
learn and embrace the language, its cultures, and its use in the world outside
the walls of the school. I believe that the integration of technology in my
courses has helped my students learn how to better read, write, speak, and
listen to French. Most importantly, however, its use has encouraged
them to develop into more worldly and knowledgeable citizens than if I
used the textbook alone. The students are motivated,
the information is out there, all we need to do is embrace it and use it!
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