Weblogs enhancing EFL students' English language learning

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     This study investigated the potential value of Weblogs use on English language learning in the context of a university in Thailand. It examined students' perceptions of and attitudes towards using Weblogs.

The setting and the participants

    The participants of this research were twenty undergraduate English major female students in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University. Their ages ranged from 22 to 24 years and they were in the fifth-year of their studies.

Instrument

☺⇒ Short questionnaires
☺⇒ Interview questionnaires
☺⇒ Student Blogs

Findings

😁Extent of Knowledge and Experiences with Weblogs

   👾 The majority of students (14) had home Internet access

   👾 Most (13) students had had no prior experience of Weblog use before undertaking the course Reading and Writing for Academic Purposes II.

   👾 More than half (12) of the students did not use Weblogs in everyday life.

   👾 Not many (8) students repeated that they sometimes used Weblogs as a means for communication and contact with other people. 

😁Potential values of Weblogs

    All students claimed that Weblogs enhanced their writing and reading skills, and vocabulary development. Weblogs increased motivation for and confidence in writing and learning English.

😁Student reactions to Weblog use

    Overall, students were positive about Weblog use and the course. Some students listed  some disadvantages of Weblogs 

Discussion

    The results of the study indicate that the online nature and user-friendly characteristics of Weblogs encourage students' self-expression in English. Weblogs are powerful tool for English language learning particularly reading and writing skills.

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weblogs for use with ESL classes

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What is a weblog?

      A weblog or blog can be thought of as an online journal that an individual can continuously update with his or her own words, idea, and thoughts through software that enables one to easily do so. Unlike a standard website, weblog entries are made by typing directly into the browser and with
the click of a button are instantly published on the internet.
      A weblog is interactive, in the sense that readers can respond to any given entry with a comment
and even threaded discussions can take place depending on the software chosen

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Three Types of Weblogs for Use in ESL Classrooms

💢 The Tutor  Blog  

      This is a type of weblog that is run by the tutor for the learners. It serves the following purposes:
💚It gives daily reading practice to the learners.
💛It promotes exploration of English websites.
💙It encourages online verbal exchange by use of comment buttons.
💛It provides class or syllabus information.
💚It serves as a resource of link for self-study.

💢 The Learner Blog

      These are blogs that are either run by individual learners themselves or by small collaborative groups of learners. In ESL, learner blogs may be best suited for reading and writing classes. However, blogs can be used as journals for writing practice. Students can get writing practice, develop a sense of ownership, and get experience with the practical.

💢 The Class Blog

       This type of blog is the result of the collaborative effort of an entire class. The following are some possible uses:

  💛In conversation-based classes, learners can be used for post messages, images, and links related to classroom discussion topics.

  💜With intermediate and advanced learners, class blogs might also useful for facilitating project-based language learning.

  💛Learners from different countries would have joint access and publishing rights to the blog.

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