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SPANISH ONLINE
( Dale Pobega)
Summary
This fully online Spanish course is available via the ACENET Flexible Learning Network (see
ACENET case study) or go to the website: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~acenet/. It is most ideal for those who are currently studying or have studied the language beyond beginner level and are seeking to improve their written and aural Spanish skills.
Context
Spanish Online was developed with
ACENET, very economically, with the hope that it may template the
approach for further Language Other Than English online courses.
Its’ delivery is funded by Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE),
auspiced by the Werribee Community House, and delivered on the
Victorian TAFE Virtual Campus for the ACENET Flexible Learning
Network.
Key Features
With
a structure and delivery approach similar to that of ACENET’s professional development
program for teachers, Online.Ace,
Spanish Online makes available to participants a range of low and high
end media. it uses
a combination of Real Audio (wav/ra created files), text, chat,
bulletin boards, mailing lists and a combination of both audio
(listening exercises) and print. It also makes substantial use of
existing publicly accessible Spanish resources such as online
newspapers. Overall a strong emphasis is placed on the primacy of
synchronous communication.
Participants meet to ‘chat’ in Spanish Online once a week on a
specific topic. Weekly discussion themes range across a number of common language contexts
such as speaking about oneself and others, giving directions, travel,
using the telephone, shopping and so
on.
Students are expected to have revised target vocabulary
and grammatical structures as part of the weekly learning objectives.
Synchronous activities include role-play, language games, Spanish web
site touring and commentary, on the spot aural comprehension
exercises, pair and small group work. A lot of the energy and language
learning is done in real time but based on stimulus materials (audio
and video snippets) used for comprehension and writing exercises.
The skill of the facilitation team is paramount. It involves one
native speaking teacher and one proficient Spanish-speaking teacher.
Preparation, interactions and follow-up are central to course
delivery.
Chat logs are used extensively as a means of non-threatening language
correction and focus. Teacher responsiveness and follow-up after each
session is immediate with corrections and logs, feedback via postings
on the bulletin board and other communication happening within 24
hours of each session. Emergency chat rooms and back up strategies are
in place for when the technological problems occur.
Target language texts, links to video/audio material, instructions and support material for studying on
TAFEVC are all provided for.
Role-play methodology (example)
- Students pretend, for example, to visit a doctor.
- They prepare the language prior to the role-play (allowing for lots of mistakes).
- Webct rooms are used and the students are divided up into strong/weak language learner groups.
- Students act out the roles according to common situations, then return to first room for de-briefing.
Click on Appendix
(rich text format) for an example of the lesson plan or click here
for the PDF version.
Contact
ACENET web site: http://www.vicnet.net.au/~acenet
Spanish Online (ACENET): http://home.vicnet.net.au/~acenet/courses.htm#spanish
ACENET
brochure: click here to download the
PDF version
TAFE Virtual Campus web site: http://www.tafevc.com.au/
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