ESL IN DISTANCE EDUCATION

BRIEF HISTORY
Organized correspondence in 1856 by Charles
Toussaint and Gustaf Langenscheidt
1940s- educational radio
1950s- 16mm film
1960s- broadcast television (live and pre-taped)
1970s- audiocasettes
1980s- live satellite delivery, video compression

1990s- Computer-based education (asynchronous),

interactive multimedia, multimedia conferencing,
CDs, the Internet, Web-based multimedia
2000s- broadband technology, wireless access

WHAT IS ESL? WHAT IS EFL?

EFL (English as a Foreign Language)

Non-immersive
Student-centered
LTT > TTT

ESL (English as a Second Language)

Immersive English environment
Teacher-centered
Practice, Reinforcement, Confirmation (PRC) takes
place outside the classroom
TTT > LTT

REASONS/PURPOSES FOR TAKING ESL

Migration
Employment globalized workplace, immigrants
Academic purposes advanced studies, research
work, international scholarships/internships
Global communication
Personal growth/life-long learning

ASYNCHRONOUS MODE
Learning opportunities can be accessed any time
Computer-mediated Communication (CMC) opened
up possibilities for interacting with native speakers
ADVANTAGES: learners can participate and
respond at their convenience

there is time for thought and reflection between

responses
it is possible to revisit discussions at a later date

Use of voicemail for listening and speaking practice

SYNCHRONOUS MODE
time and opportunity for learners to participate is
controlled, which means that it is a less flexible
option
can be highly motivating because learners feel less
isolated and gain energy and inspiration from the
learning group
(Mason, 1998) gives opportunity to convey tone
and nuance helps to develop cohesion and the
sense of being part of a learning community

may feel more like a live conversation and are more

spontaneous

Feedback is very important in DLL and this system

permits immediate feedback.

TYPES OF ESL DE PROGRAMS

Full course
Preparatory/Pre-session
Remedial/Tutorial/Augmentary
Skills-based (Reading, Writing, Speaking,
Listening)

TYPES OF ESL DE PROGRAMS

Full course
Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) - Its Over
To You, Australia

TYPES OF ESL DE PROGRAMS

Preparatory/Pre-session

Multimode Writing Up Research course for

international grad students in University of Dundee
(50% face-to-face, 50% virtual learning
environment)
Pre-sessional EAP for engineering grad students in
Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
(correspondence via audiorecordings

TYPES OF ESL DE PROGRAMS

Remedial/Tutorial/Augmentary

TYPES OF ESL DE PROGRAMS

Skills-based (Reading, Writing, Speaking,

Listening)

ICT INTEGRATION AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS

(LIU)
3 Types of ICT in language curricula
CALL (Computer Aided Language Learning)
programs with original and embedded learning
content (e.g. quizzes, games, tutorials)
CMC (Computer Mediated Communication) tools
which allow learners to provide language input (e.g.
email, forums, chat, Skype)
LMS (Learning Management Systems) (e.g.
Moodle, Blackboard)

ICT INTEGRATION AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS

(LIU)
2 Kinds of technology
Hard technologies include computer software and
hardware or gadgets
Soft technologies include approaches, principles
and techniques

ICT INTEGRATION AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS

(LIU)
CALL Equation (Egbert)

PRINCIPLES IN CHOOSING/USING
TECHNOLOGY FOR ESL (BROWN)
Look for technologies over which you can get
control, especially communication technologies.
Look for technologies that will allow students to
publish their writing.
Look for technologies that will allow you to record
oral language.

PRINCIPLES IN CHOOSING/USING
TECHNOLOGY FOR ESL (BROWN)
Encourage students to work collaboratively to
create group texts.
Encourage students to use technology in
responding creatively and critically to the books
they read.

PRINCIPLES IN CHOOSING/USING
TECHNOLOGY FOR ESL (BROWN)
Use technology to promote critical reflection.
Use technology to engage your students in
dialogue with another class: long-distance teamteaching partnerships. (Brown, 1993, pp. 193-197)

THE ESL DE TEACHER

THE ESL DE TEACHER

A trained ESL teacher has knowledge, if not mastery,
of:
a) subject matter
b) methods
c) socio-cultural milieu of learner (Alatis)
In DE, technological competence is also necessary.

CHALLENGES

Depending on delivery system and type of program,

immediate and personalized feedback may not
always be possible.

Technology used may frustrate learners and

interfere with effective language learning.
(Krashens affective filter hypothesis)

CHALLENGES

The ESL DE teacher also needs to overcome

problems caused by learners current ability in
English, by the first language or mother tongue
(L1), or by cultural differences.

Cohort learning and interaction with fellow ESL

learners may not always be possible due to how a
course/program is designed and what the
technology for delivery is.

THANK YOU!