Foreign Language Course on Moodle

Thomas Semmler

Département Langues et Culture Internationale

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Introduction

Our Project• EMA-4-Moodle• Promote Mobility• 6 Partners

– Telecom Bretagne; Telecom Lille; HfTelekom, Leipzig; BBU Telecom, St.Petersburg; UTelecom, Novosibirsk; UZilina

• 2.5 years• 350k€ European grant• 4 Language Courses (We’ll look at the French

Language Course)• 1 Language Course Template

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The Template is a predefined language course structure within MOODLE.

It offers the possibility of integrating all the elements you want in a language course:• Course presentation and instructions• Communication Tools• Linguistic & intercultural input• Linguistic & intercultural practice• Tests• Games• Additional authentic information

The Language course template

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It’s for language teachers

The template offers language teachers an « empty » course structure. « Empty » means this structure contains no media. It contains only spaces where the teacher can place her/his own media files. (text, audio, video or images)

Most parameters for the course have been set; the teacher can concentrate on course content.

The template can be used for any language and any language level.

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The structure of the template

Course outline- Course title- Course presentation- Student’s personal communication tools- Direct Links to the Lessons

10 Learning Units with each:- Unit title & presentaion- Videos- Language resources- Language exercises- Intercultural Communication Activities- Games- Links to interesting Websites- Final test

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Download the template from…

URL: http://recherche.telecom-bretagne.eu/ema4moodle/

Read the TEMPLATE Guide and follow the instructions for installation…

…it’s easy.

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Example of what can be done

Our French Language Course

• For international students coming to our school• General structure• Communication Tools• Structure of a Learning Unit

• Input (resources): based on the school environment• Output (activities)

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Sample Exercises

Example 1: CE 4.1 Matching Image-Text

Example 2: CO 7.8 Read & Listen

Example 3: CO 1.8 Comparing sounds

Example 4: CO 10.7 Video & MCQ

Example 5: PE 1.11 Multiple choice gaps

Example 6: PE 3.14 Writing sentences

Example 7: PO 1.16 Listen and repeat

Example 8: MC 9.26 Cross word puzzle

Example 9: REV 8.28 Review questions

Example 10: CI 6.21 Intercultural communication

Example 11: TF 2.30 Final test

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Teacher comments

Strong points• Helpful tool for student integration

• Good intercultural activities

• Interesting videos

• Clear structure ; easy navigation

• Use of ICTs in higher education

Possible improvements• Tutor needed

• Lack of feedback in some exercises

• No toggle between video versions

• Dictionary not easily accessible

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Student comments

I like doing the course when I want.Some sound files do not work properly. I learnt something.The course is pleasant to use.Communication tools, phonetic exercises and

original videos appreciated.

It's better to have a teacher to correct errors. Improve sound files.Put videos on YouTube

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What you have to keep in mind

Producing media : you need help and timeTechnical bugs : technical assistance > physical

help > Moodle forumsTutoring : training the tutorsTime intensive : plan your work well

Organising work : examples of documents that help: media content; check list.

This is team work: media experts, computer experts; moodle experts; teacher-developers

Updating your course : check links, dates, contents

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Future developments

Thinking about new course structures within the possibilities of Moodle based on new developments in Moodle 2, in order to respond to new student requests/learning attitudes or situations. Examples : blended (less or different tutoring, different content)

Reducing production time (importing exercices, use of html)

Creating reservoirs of reuseable content

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Summary Comments

A New Method of Teaching- The link between you and the students is Moodle

• Organising the course– Lots of thought– Lots of preliminary paper work– Putting the contents where you want them

• Organising the students– Giving clear instructions– Giving help and support– Motivating

• Organising your team of collaborators– You’re not alone anymore: Media producers, Computer

Technicians, Moodle Administrators, Colleagues

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PS.:

For those interested:

Temporary access to the French course :

http://recherche.telecom-bretagne.eu/ema4moodle/

login : démo password : démo

Permanent access to the German course :

http://moodle.hft-leipzig.de/course/view.php

?id=3

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Thank you for your attention