IT for ELTBy Biljana PipovicYou may defy it, you may not like it, you might even be a technophobe, but you definitely must admit that IT is here to stay. So, why not use it? So, why not make the most of it? If I lived in 1860, I would want to catch a train. If I lived in 1910, I would want to use a telephone. Today, I want and I douse IT in my classroom. For many reasons, the main ones being that it is creative, fun and makes my students feel at home. Whatever you may think personally, the truth is that we teach the N-generation, and being their teachers it is our responsibility to act appropriately and adapt our teaching methodology to their interests and needs. And, please, don’t complain about the lack of technical support. You can always think of something, you can always improvise. I believe that we have all got used to that during these years of crisis, if I may call them so. This is what I suggest you do as a project. I’m sure your student will love it. I know mine did! They enjoyed all the way and the final outcome was amazing. One of their videos you can see here http://www.youtu be.com/watch?v=6zpLYhNfGEQ Enjoy!

Project: What a Wonderful World!Level: pre-intermediateAim: to revise animal vocabulary; to make students aware of the world around them; to make students learn more about the animal kingdom; to strengthen students awareness about the world around them; to make students more curious and interested in nature; to integrate technology into the classroom;

In this project students will create their own video and upload it on YouTube. For this project you will need flashcards, five or six computers (depending on the size of your class) with the Internet access.

Pre-activity (homework) Students are asked to bring pictures of animals to school. Or better still, they can draw the animals themselves.

Activity 1 Pre-teaching animal vocabulary (20+ minutes)The teacher uses flashcards to pre-teach animal vocabulary. First time, the teacher only shows the pictures and names the animals. Second time, the teacher builds up a list of animals on the board. Third time, choral repetition (teacher + students). Eventually, the teacher names animals and students are supposed to show the picture (if they have that particular animal) by raising it up.

Activity 2 Speaking (10 minutes)The teacher asks questions about animals – students can describe them physically or say what they know about specific animals (the teacher can show the picture and ask what students know about the animal in it).

Activity 3 Surfing the net (30 minutes)Students are divided into groups of four (can be three or five – depending on the number of computers you have). The teacher gives students the following web links:

http://www.factsaboutanimals.net/amazing-animal-facts.htmhttp://scienceray.com/biology/zoology/13-amazing-facts-about-animals-world/http://biology.about.com/od/zoology/a/aa010207a.htmhttp://www.amazingfacts.co.in/category/amazing-facts-about-animals/http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/tiger/

Students are asked to surf the net and find not less than 10 and not more than 15 facts about animals that they find amazing. Students copy the amazing facts in their notebooks. If they have problems with the vocabulary they are instructed to use online dictionaries and if that does not help, the teacher provides help.The teacher monitors the activity.

Activity 4 Integrated skills (30+ minutes)Students create a PowerPoint presentation using the pictures from the computer or the internet and the available music. Students use a DVD maker to create a video. Eventually, there is a whole class feedback – students watch each other’s videos before uploading them on YouTube. Of course, students are asked to make comments or suggest changes.The teacher monitors the activity providing help and correcting mistakes.

Biljana Pipovic is an EFL teacher currently employed at Gimnazija ’StevanJakoljevic’ in Vlasotince, Serbia with working experience of 15 years. She has also been working as a language instructor in private schools for eight years teaching teenagers and adults of all language levels, both general and Business English. Since 2006 she has been a mentor to talented students, the members of the Regional Talents’ Center in Vranje and two times award winner in the Republic Competition for Talented Students. She is the author and a teacher trainer of two seminars recognized as a form of professional development by the Ministry of Education, trying to make teachers change their approach to teaching, showing them that variety is the spice of ELT. The accredited seminar Variety as the Spice of ELT intends to provide some guidance on this interesting and challenging idea. Her present interests include teaching FCE, CAE and CPE exam classes, international school projects, classroom interaction and working with gifted students in a mixed-ability classroom.