Technology use in the language learning classroom is always categorized by the level of authenticity. Live chat, is usually high up the authenticity scale, because it is done in real time.

The level of authenticity does depend on the student. For instance, text chat in a foreign language is more authentic to a student who uses it (messaging programs like AIM, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, etc) in their native language than a student who rarely, if ever uses it in their first language.

Text Chat

• My Lanugage Exchange
  • Search chat partners by language


• Live Mocha
• Incorporates structured lesson plans with chat practice
• Live one-on-one tutoring available from native speakers

Voice/Video Chat

Voice chat usually is highly authentic, because it is similar to what my students do on a daily basis in their native language...use the phone. And video chat adds an extra layer of authenticity because you can typically read some facial clues and/or body language, like in a face to face discussion.

• Skype
  • Free to download
  • Free calls to other Skype users, cheap to land lines (local call prices for overseas and long distance)
  • Available in 28 languages
  • Probably the best voice quality of VC programs

• PalTalk
  • Free to download
  • Currently only available for PC
  • Video chat rooms

Message Boards are a step removed on the authenticity scale, however they also have their place. They are great for looking up questions, meeting friends, looking for tutors or conversation partners, or just having a discussion with someone when you cannot be online at the same time.

• Meetup.com

Many classes have their own message boards. And you can dictate whether only the target language is acceptable or whether learners can lean on the crutch of the first langauge to express themselves or ask questions.

Blogs

Blogs are basically like a diary, or a journal. Except that instead of hiding it under your bed, it is out there for the whole world wide to read. Sometimes they are about politics, sometimes about family, sometimes about sports, but the one universal is that they are all about personal opinion.

Anyone can have a blog. There are many websites that offer free membership to those amateurs hoping to hosting their personal rantings. And, of course on these sites you will find plenty of languages, not just English.

• Blog Catalog
• Blogger
• Incorporates structured lesson plans with chat practice
• Live one-on-one tutoring available from native speakers

You can ask your students to read and respond to someone else blog. OR have them start their own!!

Vlogs

Vlogs are just like blogs, except they are video enteries (made easier than ever now thanks to webcams and built in carmeras on laptops and monitors.

Vlogs became popular as a way to post comments on videos watched online. But there are some people who set up a channel of nothing but their personal vlogs, not just commenting on others.

• YouTube
• MetaCafe

"A wiki is software that allows users to create, edit, and link web pages easily. Wikis are often used to create collaborative websites and to power community websites."     - Wikipedia

• List of Wikipedia Languages

Or, your class can create it's own Wiki on one of the many free wiki servers.

• wikispaces

Probably the biggest social networking trend among college aged students right now are social communities (like Myspace, Friendster, or Facebook). These are virtual friend networks that combine all of the other elements: blogs, message boards, chat, vlogs, etc, along with pictures and videos so that every user has their own individually tailored cyber-space.

• Myspace Latino, MySpace Chinese , Myspace Franch,
• Skyrock
  • Français, English, Deutsh, Español, Nederlands, International
• Vostu
• Español, Português, English
• BKOHTAKTE
• Russian
• StudiVZ
• Deutsh
• Mixi
• Japanese
• Xiaonei
• Chinese
• Unilife
• Italian

Second Life (also know as SL) is a multi-user virtual world (that resembles a video game) where "Residents" interact with each other through avatars (graphic figures personalized by the individual user). This unique social network encourages it's users to explore, meet other Residents, socialize, and participate in individual and group activities, among other things.

Currently, members of the CALL community (Computer Assisted Language Learning) are working towards developing devoted Language Learning Worlds in Second Life. One of the first examples now available is LanguageLab.com which is still in Beta form.

BGSU has it's own Second Life campus that you can visit! BGSU Second Life

Before visiting a Second Life world, you must first sign up for a free Second Life account, then confirm your registration through your email, then install Second Life on your computer.