#ELTchat Summary for September 23, 2015

Most of the Twitter chats I participate in are hosted in North America and I have a few I try to catch regularly. #ELTchat is UK-based and it took a long summer hiatus; consequently, I missed the first week. I came across the #ELTchat by chance yesterday because of @juliacphang’s #ELTchat comments appearing in my news feed. The chat time alternates between morning and mid-afternoon, my time; therefore, I was able to catch most of the chat during breakfast.

#ELTchat differs from most chats I participate in, since there are no questions posted in advance for discussion. The topic for each chat is chosen from submissions by popular vote. You can view the open forum for topics here on Saturdays and the topic is selected by followers on Sundays. Chats take place on Wednesdays, alternating each week between 12:00 and 21:00 BST, or 7:00 and 16:00 EST.

Yesterday’s topic piqued my interest: Using Online Resources for Listening and Speaking in the Classroom, moderated by @Marisa_C, @angelos_bollas, and @Shaunwilden. The resources mentioned included:

Source/Website	Details	Comments/Suggestions for Use
http://www.TED.com	Recorded global conferences “Ideas Worth Spreading”	Used over the summer; a little dry @angelo_cullos Good, but might be a bit long for class @Marisa_C Likes it as a resource @EmmaSegev Choosing talks based on students’ interests @juliacphang
https://tinytexts.wordpress.com/	Read, listen, and learn in English	Likes it because it’s small, although there haven’t been new additions recently @cioccas
http://kahoot.it/	Game-based learning tool	Likes to use it with class @DARLnamic
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/ b006qj9z/clips	Today Programme	Enjoys the short clips @JennyLewin-Jones Has used BBC Radio clips as well @juliacphang
http://www.esl-lab.com/	Randall’s Cyber Listening Lab	Lessons for class or self access @Marisa_C
http://film-english.com/	Lessons designed around short films	Good length and good for discussion @HanaHainsworth @cioccas, @angelos_bollas agreed
Podcasts on iTunes	Various	“Obsessed” with podcasts @Shaunwilden Uses as content for distance ss @patrickelt
http://vocaroo.com/	Online voice recorder	Ss record written work as listening source for others @angelos_bollas, @Marisa_C
http://audacityteam.org/	Open source, recording software	Recording podcasts @patrickelt
http://www.podbean.com/	Podcast hosting	Free publishing @patrickelt
http://lyricstraining.com/	Learning English through music videos and songs	Great for listening to and writing down lyrics; multi-levels @Marisa_C; @GlenysHanson
http://www.soundcloud.com	Podcast-creating audio platform	Suggested by @ambartosik to record podcasts and as an alternative to vocaroo, which isn’t available for mobile phones @cioccas agreed
https://voicethread.com/	Gathering place for digital conversations	Good for speaking/listening; can play truth or lie; links to Action Research  @cioccas
http://www.rrrrather.com/	Conversation starter with difficult choices	Promoting discussion with older students @EmmeSegev
http://flipquiz.me/	Templates for make-your-own gameboards	Competitive games in class, vocabulary practice @DARLnamic
http://www.voxopop.com/	Voice-based e-learning tool; message board for the spoken word	Generate online stories; good for analysis and peer review as well @Marisa_C
http://www.elllo.org	Conversations in different accents of English	Good for unscripted interviews @GlenysHanson Different accents of English @ambartosik
https://storycorps.org/	People’s real stories	Good for encouraging discussion @EmmaSegev
http://www.eltideas.com	Lesson plans for listening activities	First day with a new class @cioccas
http://www.englishcentral.com/ videos	Videos for different English learning	Good for self-assessed pronunciation, too @iatefl_ltsig
http://www.twitter.com	Does it need an explanation??	Can use for “speaking” where Internet is limited @angelos_bollas Has many things in common with speaking, like informality @patrickelt
http://secondlife.com/	3D virtual world	Place for conversations <tongue in cheek> @Marisa_C Uses too much bandwith, unfortunately @cbsiskin
http://www.humansofnew york.com/	Still photos of New York residents	Images for discussion @EmmaSegev
Google Hangouts or Skype		Connect with another teacher for a Mystery Skype @ambartosik Use for guest speakers @Marisa_C
www.miniclip.com/games/ flip-words/en/	Word learning game	Uses it in the classroom @DARLnamic

(an aside: @Marisa_C said that this was a slow chat. I can’t imagine collating all the suggestions in a busier chat; look at this list!)

These blogs were also mentioned in the chat:

“Would you Rather” activity shared by @EmmaSegev

Teaching Students Persuasive Techniques shared by @patrickelt (connected to TED talks)

VoiceThread for Students shared by @cioccas

And this link to a podcast blog, thanks to @iatefl_ltsig and @cioccas

Here is a link to my Storify of the chat so that you can follow the conversation thread as it unfolded.

I consider myself knowledgeable about online resources and edtech, but there are a few suggestions in the table above that I have not tried before. My mind is buzzing with ideas and possibilities. I definitely need to go update my Live Binders with some of these great online tools and apps for listening and speaking. I’m especially interested in Voxopop – students don’t have many opportunities for practicing speaking online, and this one gives students authentic spaces in which to practice. Putting it on the must-try list immediately.

Thanks to everyone who shared their suggestions and for participating in the chat. @juliacphang, I wouldn’t have written this summary had it not been for you.