The Final FrontierBRAZ TESOL Curitiba

20 June 2011

Augusto RochaCountry Manager

English Attack and Out-of-the-Classroom Learning

EdTech Applied to EFL

The past 10 years or so have seen an explosion of interest in the use of technology in the EFL classroom: from Blogs to Twitter, Podcast, Moodle, and Mobile. EdTech in the EFL classroom, in short, is sexy.

Ohura

EdTech Applied to EFL

EdTech Applied toEFL Homework

Ohura KlingonSexy Not sexy

When it comes to topic of homework in EFL, however, the enthusiasm fades. No one seems interested. It’s just not sexy.

Yet surely there is a disconnect here. We know that learners spend 98% of their time outside of the classroom. We also know that learners are integrating technology into virtually every aspect of their lives, from communication to entertainment, to, yes, education.

Trying to find useful pedagogical theory, academic work, or case studies on the subject of EFL Homework turns up very little information.

LEARNER AUTONOMY

INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING

MOTIVATION!

The Obstacles

Let’s start by investigating the obstacles….WHY homework doesn’t play the role it should in EFL.

First: technology, or the lack of it until now. Very difficult to foster autonomy, exploration and motivation with linear and mostly uninspiring materials like textbooks and workbooks.

No, no, it’s an opportunity for

exploration and self-learning!

I’m telling you, the only purpose can be to consolidate what is learned in class.

Secondly, there has long been a schism between those who see homework as a “consolidating” tactic for classroom lessons; and those who see homework as “something else,” i.e. complementary to the classroom experience but with its own unique role in the language learning process.

Third, homework is tricky for teachers because it’s unpopular with learners.

By its very nature, assigned homework is at a huge disadvantage compared to what is is competing with in the home: relax time, television, and, especially for teens and young adults: internet, music and mobile texting.,

Fourth, until now the creation,

monitoring and marking of

homework has implied

significantly adding to the teacher’s

workload.

Other problems that we have to face teaching English:

Insufficient Input

In most cases, because exposure to English only happens in class, learners are simply not exposed to enough input for effective language learning.

Also, unguided input can prove discouraging for learners if it results in a frustrating, partial comprehension experience.

Insufficient Input

Limited class time is never enough to cover all of the following:

• Input • Presentation• Content Exercises• Skills Exercises• Production• Drills• Error Correction

• Free discussion• Games• Group Work• One-on-one

instruction• Coaching• Feedback• Assessment

Dull e-Learning Platforms

• Most “E-Learning Platforms” are seen by teens as dull, and an extension of their classroom obligation

• Highly structured “course / level” orientations can clash with school’s curriculum and turns off learners looking for more casual exposure

• Most do not address teen / young adult interests and tastes

• Online material is often unauthentic and dated

Optimal Solution

An online, self-study resource complementary to the school curriculum, but sufficiently different to it to avoid feeling like extra coursework.

Optimal Solution

Created by independent entertainment and pedagogy experts specifically for teens and young adults, incorporating the latest learning concepts from cognitive neuroscience and learning games.

Optimal Solution

In tune with the interests, learning styles, and motivational requirements of this age demographic

Consistent with the latest EFL pedagogical thinking (Lexical & Communicative approaches; grammaticalized

lexis; authentic materials)

Optimal Solution

Video Booster interactive videos

Global community of Learners of English

Photo Vocabvisual dictionaries

Practice Games

Designed specifically for teens and adults, English Attack! uses a wide range of online entertainment formats – from video to games to social networking – to help people improve their English in a fun, friendly and highly accessible Web 2.0 environment.

Introducing

Pedagogy inspired by cognitive neuroscience

Key Brain Behaviors1. Contextual Meaning is more

important than abstract information

2. Emotion is the gatekeeper to learning

3. Intelligence is a function of experience (learn by doing)

4. The brain is Social5. Learning is enhanced by

challenge and inhibited by stress6. The more stimulation, the more

likely long-term memory is created

7. The brain DOES NOT obey rules

English Attack!1. Video Boosters based on

authentic input 2. All vocabulary & grammar is

contextual3. Learners can choose exercises

based on their favorite hobbies, artists, movies, …

4. Community and social networking features play a key role

5. Activity-driven score and continuous rewards

6. Repetition is key, but make it fun: Practice Games

7. NO grammar terminology; show usage logic, inductively

Motivation throughdiscovery & autonomy

“The simplest way to ensure that people value what they are doing is to maximise their free choice and autonomy”

- Good & Brophy, 2004

Motivation through content relevant to the lives of teens

& young adults

Videogame-like ecosystem for enhanced self-motivation

Incentivation of

Effort rather

than Ability

PervasiveMotivational

Feedback

Rewards, not Grades

Points scored basedon activity, not proficiency level

Interstitial feedbackIs always positive andencouraging, like in a Casual videogame

Badges, levels, and contributions displayed on personal profile page

Let’s check more details about how English Attack! Works with our friend Booster

Main Page

Video Booster

Video Booster

Video Booster

Video Booster – Survival Test

Video Booster – Listening Lab

Video Booster – Incentive Messages

Video Booster – Quiz Challenge

Video Booster – Vocab Academy

Video Booster – Grammar Jungle

Video Booster – Games

Photo Vocab – Visual Dictionary

Games

Games

Games

The Social Network… and other motivational features!

The Social Network… and other motivational features!

The Social Network… and other motivational features!

What is coming next?The TEFLtube Teacher Platform

TEFLtube allows teachers to assign specific content units asclasswork, homework or group work; to monitor if the workhas been done; and to see what the performance was.

Create and Manage Classes

Select or Create Content& Assign it to a Class

Monitor assignment compliance and see class + individual student

performance per skill

TEFLtube: Teacher Platform

Commercial Ratecard

1. Access to TEFLtube teacher platform

2. One free Teacher user account per 20 students signed up

3. For schools with 100+ students, co-branding of site

Multi-user License Fee Package Includes:

You instantly benefit from the significant difference between the perceived value

to the individual learner (the retail price, €10/month) and the lower cost to you of providing

that value.

In Conclusion:Advantages

English Attack! has been specifically designed to increase EFL input and motivation for teens and young adults

Purpose-specific design

A flexible, stand-alone resource

No “integration” with school curriculum required. Instead, an autonomous, complementary resource promoting discovery and self-motivation.

Allows optimization of precious classroom time

• English Attack! helps increase exposure / input and repetition outside the classroom;

• Allows focus of precious classroom time on:• discussion• interaction• group work• tasks requiring teacher supervision• face-to-face intelligent error

correction

All-content approach; no lessons or “courses” which need to be integrated with your curriculum.

A complementary, 100% content-focused approach

Be part of our team in Brazil!

For more informationAugusto RochaBusiness Partner - BrazilLinkedIn Profile: Augusto RochaE-mail: augusto@english-attack.comPhone: +55 11 7889-3624

@englishattack

For more on our pedagogical principles:Entertainment English Blog:

http://blog.english-attack.com