The online language learning challenge

Sat Apr 5 21:38:40 UTC 2014

It is just as difficult to learn online as it is to learn in class. And sometimes one or the other isn't enjoyable. My Latin (yep we spoke and read it), Spanish, and German was a nightmare. Only Polish was fun and only that teacher had a sense of humor about a question I asked. 

But the teacher or class or student or all need to define learning. In Polish I wanted to speak to my first husband's cousins' wives whose husbands wouldn't translate. And I did actually speak because they didn't intimidate me. 

But my Spanish instructor hit people with a little ruler and made fun of us. Don't ask about my German prof. 

Online can be less intimidating though my online class with MOMA was like studying with the ....

It is MUCH MUCH MUCH harder to teach online and to develop classes which I did for Pace and private programs. 

It will be interesting to hear. 

Oh, what do people call online learning now? CALL, TELL or?

UNC and NC in general has the most online classes for everything. And many are free to seniors or those disabled as I am. 

T

Tommy B. McDonell, Ph.D.
Pinehurst, NC 28374
http://tbmcdonellart.com
Remember to have your colonoscopy. 

Some typos are courtesy of my iPhone 5s. Other mistakes are due to being tired. 

> On Apr 5, 2014, at 2:30 PM, ann gavriel <sense07 at waitrose.com> wrote:
> 
> Tommy,
> You have the insight and deep grasp of language-culture interface etc.  You therefore understand the limitations of online language  learning.  I  began learning Spanish in an evening class- it was such a blessing because every member of that class - 18 people - was a learning and teaching asset to themselves and to their classmates.  Language learning is about feeling happy that 'they' (whoever they are) understand, respond, speak back to you.. To feel successful in the first faltering steps.  We need interpersonal reassurance in the flesh.. to see the sudden joy when a person communicates, and to feel that yourself.  Is that possible online.... Like you, I wait to hear how it 'feels' and how successful...
> Ann S. Gavriel
> Norwich, UK
> 
> From: edling-bounces at bunner.geol.lu.se [mailto:edling-bounces at bunner.geol.lu.se] On Behalf Of Tommy B McDonell
> Sent: 01 April 2014 22:22
> To: Ed Ling
> Subject: Re: [Edling] The online language learning challenge
> 
> I would like to see the term "learn/ing" defined. I live in NC now and no longer have access to NYU's wonderful databases, and only can access NC consortium, which does not give me all the journals you all read. However, when I left NYC in 2008, while there was research on people doing better in certain areas of technology enhanced language learning (TELL or the old CALL), it was in specific areas. For example, reading, and being able to see the glossary.  
> 
> However, just because one can access a free app, doesn't mean that you can learn a language. Learn to speak it? Learn to read it? What happens to sociocultural pragmatics (which I have enough trouble being a New Yorker and having moved to the South, much less if I were in Poland where I can read but not enough vodka in the world will get me to speak, my affective filter is that high!). 
> 
> I will be interested in what comes up. 
> 
> Tommy
> 
> Tommy B McDonell, Ph.D.
> tbmcdonell at gmail.com
> Artist: Pinehurst, NC
> http://tbmcdonellart.com
> 
> 
>> On Apr 1, 2014, at 2:54 PM, Francis Hult <francis.hult at englund.lu.se> wrote:
>> 
>> The Guardian
>>  
>> The online language learning challenge
>>  
>> The Guardian wants to find out if it is possible to learn a language only using online tools. Over the next six weeks, three writers will each try to learn a language using a piece of language-learning technology.
>>  
>> Full story:
>> http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/feb/21/can-i-learn-a-language-online
>> _______________________________________________
>> Edling mailing list
>> Edling at bunner.geol.lu.se
>> http://bunner.geol.lu.se/mailman/listinfo/edling
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> Edling at bunner.geol.lu.se
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