Website Evaluation

Software Title: Resources for English as a Second Language

URL: http://www.usingenglish.com/

Grade/Age Level: All level


The website UsingEnglish.com, as described on the homepage, provides a large collection of sources and tools for any level of learners, teachers and academics, which consists of the items such as grammar glossary and references of irregular verbs, phrasal verbs and idioms, ESL forums, articles, teacher handouts and printables. The focus is on the areas of English as a Foreign Language (EFL), English as a Second Language (ESL), English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and EAP (English for Academic Purposes?).This website is well-organized due to its simplicity and categorized issues. There are totally six categories of resources and tools. The first category includes four sections: English Idiom, English Phrasal Verbs, English Irregular Verbs, and Grammar Glossary. Each section is organized alphabetically and provides clear definitions and examples for English learners and teachers. The second category, ESL Tests, offers a kind of self-tests and quizzes covering beginner, intermediate and advanced levels to test the learners’ understanding of English language. What is most interesting is that if one decides to take a test, the score and statistics are automatically recorded and s/he can refer back to a full history of the results as well. However, to access these facilities you need to first register and then log in. The third category, ESL Articles, mainly focuses on some unique articles, comments and thoughts in the area of English language from different perspectives. The fourth category, ESL Teacher Resources, provides the resources dedicated for ESL teachers. The resources include some printable handouts and worksheets, different models of lesson plans (in PDF format) for any level, articles, and further sites for the teachers. The fifth category, ESL Discussion Forum, consists of two sections: Ask an English Teacher, and English Language (ESL) Forum. For the first section even you can access without any authorization, but there are some rules which you have to consider, or you can register yourself as a member. Through registration or considering the rules given in the section you can post any question regarding English and will receive the answers. In the second section of fifth category you can access broad discussions on learning and teaching the English language. And finally, the sixth category consists of some resources and tools which provide the software(s), and the tools to facilitate the process of English learning.
Overall, I found this website very useful for any level of English learners and teachers. I would recommend this site for all of ESL, and EFL learners and teachers. Particularly the forums which are created for posing questions and participating in the discussions are very helpful for both learners and teachers due to their constructivistic notion.

Egbert (2005) - Reaction

Egbert tries to explain that there has been a misconception in the operational definition of CALL. In a glance, however, one may perceive that CALL might refer to some computer-based skills which a learner should be familiar with, Egbert argued that CALL is used as a tool to develop the interactive process of learning and teaching in order to make the students be involved in authentic tasks and the process of interaction, rather than to its technological aspects. Egbert’s ideas in fact relies on the issue that computer can be used alongside, or probably as an alternative tool to the classic instrument of learning such as pencils, notebook, books, and blackboards. Overall, according to Egbert, computer and any technological tools can be used to facilitate the process of learning alongside their usage in the areas of skill-based approaches.
In my opinion, partly Egbert’s ideas can be very important. Indeed, CALL resources must be considered as tools for learning rather than the skills by themselves. I would strongly favor Egbert’s idea which states that the term learning should be considered as a greater interest comparing to the familiarity with the skills linked to the technological resources. However, I assume that Egbert has overstated the interactive aspect of CALL. CALL can assist and facilitate the process of language learning. But, as language is a process of communication and integration of thoughts, it seems like CALL will not be able to compensate the face to face approaches of learning of language.