Reflections on TELL (Week 3)

My third week of TELL was very practical and hands-on. This week, I learned how to use various educational tools, such as Tricider, Lingro, Cloze Test Creator, IPA Typewriter, PhoTransEdit, and Phonotizer, for language learning. Tricider is a free online brainstorming tool. On tricider, we first enter a question on which we need to gather ideas. We can invite friends and colleagues to share their thoughts and contribute ideas. Additionally, users can provide supporting or opposing arguments, leading to a diverse range of perspectives. The discussion remains open for 14 days, allowing participants to engage in thoughtful debates. Since discussions are not in real-time, users have the opportunity to reflect and craft well-thought-out responses, which enhances critical thinking and meaningful engagement. Here is how it looks like

Subsequently, I was introduced to other educational tools such as IPA Typewriter, PhoTransEdit, Phonotizer, Cloze Test Creator, Lingro, and BreakingNews English. I explored IPA Typewriter, PhoTransEdit, and Phonotizer, which are particularly useful for linguistics students as they aid in phonetic transcription and pronunciation learning. IPA Typewriter allows users to type phonetic symbols. PhoTransEdit helps verify transcriptions by translating them into readable text and provides options to convert symbols into Received Pronunciation or General English. Phonotizer offers phonemic transcription with British and American versions, along with audio playback features. Another highly useful tool I came across is BreakingNews English. It is an American website that provides authentic material and is synced with English e-newspapers. The platform can adjust syntax and vocabulary to match the reader’s proficiency level. It offers seven levels, making it an excellent resource for learners at different stages. Additionally, I was introduced to Lingro, a valuable tool that functions as a dictionary. To read an article using Lingro, we simply copy the URL of a website, paste it into Lingro, and the article opens within the platform. It allows users to click on any unfamiliar word to instantly view its meaning, eliminating the need to switch to a dictionary app. Furthermore, Lingro enables users to save words to a wordlist for future review. Since Lingro removes distractions like hyperlinks, it serves as an excellent tool for focused reading and vocabulary building. Here is how it looks like

Lastly, I learned about Cloze Test Creator, which generates fill-in-the-blank tests. Users can select a paragraph and specify which nth word will be omitted, along with the type of word—such as a preposition, noun, or verb. This feature makes it an effective resource for practicing grammar and vocabulary. It is particularly useful for creating online assessments and quizzes.

What Is Technology Enhanced Language Learning?

 

Reflections on TELL (Week 2)

 

In today's digital era, language learning has evolved beyond traditional methods. This week, I explored how different online tools can enhance writing, speaking, and listening skills, making the learning process more interactive and efficient.

One of the most valuable tools we explored was Penzu, an online journaling platform designed for writing practice and self-reflection. Unlike a traditional notebook, a standout feature of Penzu is its auto-save, ensuring that no work is lost while writing. Additionally, the date-stamping function records each entry, making it easy to track progress over time. Penzu allows users to insert images, links, and other media. While Penzu journals are private by default, users can share entries via email, links, or PDFs. Our teacher emphasized that regular journaling helps build vocabulary, improve grammar, and develop fluency. Personally, I find journaling a great way to organize my thoughts, relieve stress, and track my writing progress. I find digital journaling more convenient than traditional paper journals since I always have my phone with me, allowing me to write anytime and anywhere. The ability to add images, edit mistakes easily, and have unlimited pages makes Penzu a superior alternative. Writing consistently in a digital space not only sharpens writing skills but also fosters self-reflection and organization.

Another interesting tool I explored this week was PhraseTeacher, an app that teaches idioms and phrases based on different contexts and situations. Learning idiomatic expressions is essential for mastering a language, as they add fluency and depth to communication. PhraseTeacher provides structured learning by grouping idioms according to their usage, making it easier to understand and remember them.

As I continue exploring Technology-Enhanced Language Learning (TELL), this week’s focus was on Podcasting, and Screencasting, two powerful digital tools that significantly improve speaking, and listening skills. These tools help bridge the gap between passive learning and active communication, making language learning more engaging and effective.

Podcasting is the process of creating and sharing audio recordings, whether its storytelling, discussions, interviews, or educational content. It allows language learners to improve pronunciation, fluency, and speech clarity by recording, listening, and self-evaluating their speech. Screencasting is the process of recording both screen activity and voice narration to create instructional or presentation videos. This is especially useful for teachers creating digital lessons, students delivering presentations, and language learners practicing spoken explanations.           

Podcasting tools are available in two main formats: Desktop versions, which run offline after installation. Web-based versions, which require an internet connection and run directly in browsers. The first toll I got to know was TextSmith Jing, which allows 5-minute free recordings, including screen recording and voiceovers. Teachers can also use it for providing audio feedback to students. Additionally, Screencast-O-Matic and ScreenPal Offers 15 minutes of free recording, making it ideal for screen capture and narrated explanations. We were introduced to Vocaroo, a simple online voice recording tool that supports voiceovers, screencasting, and camera recording. It’s great for pronunciation practice and fluency improvement. Our tutor also touched upon Zoom which Provides 40 minutes of free recording, perfect for virtual discussions, lessons, or presentations.

At the end of the class, we were assigned an interactive group activity based on the book Teaching English Language Learners (ELLs) Through Technology by Tony Erben, Ruth Ban, and Martha Castaneda. The class was divided into five groups, each responsible for reading and presenting a specific unit. Group 1 explored computer language learning research and the benefits of integrating technology in teaching ELLs. Group 2 discussed E-creation tools and self-made computer-based resources, emphasizing how learners can use technology creatively in language learning. Group 3 focused on digital tools that enhance speaking skills, while Group 4 examined E-tools designed to facilitate reading and writing. Lastly, Group 5 covered listening tools, reviewing various resources to improve learners' listening comprehension. The activity followed a structured three-stage process: self-reading, group discussion, and a four-minute presentation. With clear instructions from our tutor, this engaging task encouraged collaborative learning, critical thinking, and practical application of technology in language education.

This week’s learning reinforced how digital tools can transform language learning. Whether it’s improving writing through Penzu, enhancing pronunciation with Vocaroo, or creating dynamic lessons with ScreenPal, technology is making language learning more interactive, engaging, and accessible.

Have you ever tried digital journaling, podcasting, or screencasting? Let me know your experience in the comments!

Reflections on TELL (Week 1)

 

Hi everyone,

I’m an English major student specializing in linguistics, and this semester, I’ve started the course on Technology-Enhanced Language Learning (TELL). In this blog, I’ll be sharing my reflections on the lectures we’ve had so far and the key takeaways I’ve gained. We’ve completed three lectures up to this point, and here’s a brief overview of what I’ve learned:

In the first lecture, we were introduced to the core concept of TELL. TELL refers to the use of technology to facilitate language learning. TELL encompasses technological resources, including online dictionaries, language learning apps, interactive websites, and multimedia content like videos and podcasts. It also includes specific branches such as Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) and Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), which focus on using mobile devices and computers to facilitate learning. We discussed resources such as BNC (British National Corpus) and COCA (Corpus of Contemporary American English), which help learners understand real-world language use. Language learning, as we learned, involves four key skills: speaking, writing, reading, and listening. These skills contribute to overall proficiency and are developed through both lexical and syntactical knowledge.

The second lecture focused on blogging as a tool for language learning. Blogs are static websites that can host authentic materials—such as texts and videos—that learners can engage with to develop their reading and writing skills. Embedding external resources allows learners to interact with real-world content, making the learning experience more immersive. We also explored the differences between synchronous learning (real-time interactions like Zoom meetings) and asynchronous learning (flexible platforms such as Google Classroom and blogs).

The third lecture was very hands-on and practical. We were given a step-by-step demonstration on how to create a blog using a Google account. I learned how to choose a blog name, set a URL, and customize the layout to make the blog look unique. This lecture solidified the idea that blogs can be a valuable tool not only for language learners but also for educators looking to engage their students in creative and interactive ways.

This week has laid a strong foundation for understanding TELL, and I’m eager to explore its practical applications further in the coming sessions!