Date:    Wed, 6 Jun 2001 10:22:06 -0400
From:    HectorLow BCVenezuela 
Subject: Useful websites for EFL

Recently The British Council presented several workshops on using
internet for teaching EFL. It was not just based on the classroom, we
looked at self-access/self-study, sites for teachers and the use of
non EFL sites.

The important points that came out in the workshops was (like any use
of technology) that the internet:
1. is not a solution to teaching/learning English
2. could/should be integrated into the syllabus and into the lesson
3. is a very valuable extra tool to use
4. is here and if we don't start to use it we will be left behind

We did not look at topics such as chatting, use of email or on-line
courses.

The following are a list of sites that may be of interest to anyone
who is using or thinking about using the internet for teaching/learning
English. It was originally a Word document but this system doesn't like
attachments. Hopefully ELTeCS LA will be developing a system where we
can share materials or lesson plans for teaching if people think this
is a good idea and part of what ELTeCS should be doing.

Many thanks are due to Gaenor Hardy who put the list together and all
the teachers at The British Council Caracas who gave her ideas.

In the workshop, we asked the participants to look at the sites and think
about them in terms of:
*       Is it a teacher resource site, for students or both?
*       Is it for adults or children?
*       Is it 'authentic'?
*       What kind of language are students being exposed to?
            (Grammar, vocabulary, a particular skill etc)
*       What levels could you use it with?
*       Would you use it with your students?

The British Council does not in any way promote or recommend these sites
and, whilst every effort has been made to test out the sites and links, The
British Council cannot be held responsible for the contents of these sites.

This information is correct at the time of publication, (June 2001), but
please be reminded that the links to which these addresses refer can change
or may be abandoned.

Hector Low
Teaching Centre Manager
The British Council
Caracas
Venezuela

Tel: 0058 212 9529965 Ext 239
Fax: 0058 212 9529691