Review #3

Name: English Language Centre Study Zone University of Victoria
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/

Level and Skill: Level 1 through to Level 5 Advanced. The skills focused on are: reading, grammar, comprehension and vocabulary building. There is also a link to an Intermediate level listening course.

Interactive: Yes

ESL/Non-ESL: The site is definitely for ESL learners with its connection to the English Learning Centre at the University of Victoria.

What makes it good? Upon clicking on the Study Zone link to the ELC, you are immediately invited to choose a level of which, there are 5 and then one additional, called Extras. These access levels all have grammar, reading, vocabulary and puzzles but in a level appropriate variation. The Level 1 or 200 materials, have pictures that the learner must identify from a list. Easy to scroll through for the correct answer and if boredom sets in, the next level is easy to access. The gradient level of difficulty and content is ideal as many of the activities are not unlike those that might be taught in the classroom but are beefed up with an interactive aspect that is totally controlled by the learner. The titles of the material are also attractive like ‘Pulp Friction’ at Level 5 making reference of course, to the movie Pulp Fiction, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110912/trailers
corny nonetheless, a clever psychological mechanism. The viewer, however, is unlikely to see Uma Thurman or John Travolta featured in the article about the Pulp and Paper Industry in B.C., although the subject of drugs (hemp and marijuana), is a good part of the reading comprehension! I liked the way that the skills of predicting, scanning and skimming were the first steps to reading this article. The timer at the top is an excellent tool for this exercise, which provides a bit of additional motivation for the reader. The time allowed for reading is perfect for the level. Likewise, at Level 4, the titles for reading are imaginative and catchy, “The Death Car”, “The Chocking Dog” etc.

The Sample Listening Course provides good opportunities to listen to English pronunciation, conversation in context and an opportunity to discuss the topics with the teacher or other learners. Although some of the clips are staged, the fundamentals of listening and interactive communication are integral. The instructions are easy to follow and all the units are labeled and described prior to listening. Although this aspect of the website is designed as a tutorial course of study over 12 weeks, it simply serves as good listening practice. This is a great, well designed site that I would highly recommend.

Review #2

Name: Canadian Slang
www.slanguage.com/about.html


Level and Skill: Applicable to any ESL level with an interest in knowing the translation of some of the Canadian slang they may hear. There is no particular skill that is targeted except possible comprehension of some terms and definitely no skill required in using the site!

Interactive: No

ESL/Non-ESL: Both, as there were quite a few terms of which I was unaware.

What makes it good? Not much actually. I have to believe there are better sites available for ESL learners who want to navigate the world of Canadian slang. Upon going on the site, I was immediately assaulted by pop-ups with annoying sounds and active x control commands that prevented me from scrolling up or down. I had to end task in one instance. Sorry, but I am not going to ‘Dress my Zwinky” and nor am I in the market for ‘Mate 1 intimate dates from Hamilton’! If I really want to know what the peg is or the rock , maybe I will go out and buy a Two –Four, sit in front of the bar(google bar that is) and scroll all day. The idea of FUNetics that Mike Ellis has tried to create in other languages with pictographic equivalents is simply confusing and a little bit juvenile. Gracias pero no gracias; this site gave me a skull cramp. For many learners making a serious effort to understand idioms, colloquial language and slang, its sure to do the same to them!

Review #1

Name: Guide to Grammar and Writing
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/

Level and Skill: This website would be most useful for Advanced Level learners where EAP is required for Post Secondary studies in College or University. Particular attention is paid to grammar structures in the skill of writing.

Interactive: Yes, there is a vast range of interactive quizzes and exercises to choose from in the index.

ESL/Non-ESL: It is not exclusive to ESL learners but this site is listed as one of the resources in the ESL programme at Capital College. Educators, grammar enthusiasts and learners from a variety of backgrounds could benefit from this site.

What makes it good? As the dedication to this site indicates, the professor who developed the Guide to Grammar and Writing did so with the intention of helping his students to write essays and research reports. The organization and layout of the site is clear and simple, with a central index organized into 6 easily navigated areas of exploration into grammar mechanics and usage. The information is categorized into levels, beginning with ‘Word and Sentence Level’ moving sideways to ‘Paragraph Level’, ‘Essay and Paper Level’, ‘Peripherals and Power Points’ for the more visual user, interactive Quizzes and Grammar Exercises ending with ‘Grammar Poll Guestbook and Awards’, which gives the learner an opportunity to give critical feedback about the site or, to ask questions in the subtopic area, ‘Ask Grammar’. The online lessons are creative, culturally appropriate, current and often have a colourful lexicon embedded in the content. The coloured font is easy to read once the selection is made. Fun cartoons, some of which are animated, are interspersed amongst the text making the information more attractive and enticing to the learner. The scroll bar at each level, gives one endless possibilities for a selection of grammar points from comma use to vocabulary builders, to tips on argumentative essays. The website also offers access to other useful websites through a variety of hyperlinks. Overall, this site is a fabulous resource that makes learning grammar totally ‘user friendly’!

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This is where I am going to review websites for my 9011 course in technology.