Using Technology To Learn English Yay Or Nay.docx

1. Using Technology to Learn English – Yay or Nay? As technology becomes more and more woven into every aspect of our daily lives, many parents wonder about the pros and cons of digital education. These thoughts are especially relevant when it comes to language learning. After all, isn’t English best learnt through verbal communication and practice? How can students experience the same levels of interaction and engagement through a screen? Does technology improve or impede a student’s learning? There are both pros and cons to discuss. Yay: Students love technology. Having grown up with technology, our students are digital natives. Using technology empowers them! Contrary to the belief that games are a waste of time, games offer students a wealth of opportunities to improve their English. In the online English tuition classes Singapore at Write Edge, we use Kahoot to get students actively involved. We create personalized quizzes on Kahoot, a game-based learning platform, to encourage students to apply and revise the writing techniques they have just learnt in class. Games are a fantastic source of motivation, and even the most reluctant students love joining in!

2. Nay: It is difficult to pay attention online. As online educators, we know how hard it is for some students to keep their eyes on the lesson when the teacher is simply a tiny face on the screen. Many other educators argue that this is because young learners are simply easily distracted and have short attention spans. If this is the case, then why have many adults complained of “Zoom fatigue” during the rampant increase in videoconferencing during this time? The issue is not just short attention spans, but in fact, the way the listener and speaker interact online is very different from a face-to-face lesson. More than ever, the student needs to expend greater cognitive resources to stay on track because of the lack of stimuli from the screen. Just like watching a live concert on video, the energy of the teacher is diminished through the screen. That is why, in our online English tuition classes, the teachers are never dull and monotonous! We keep the energy levels high to keep the students interested and motivated to learn. Many Write Edge students tell us that their favourite part of the lesson is when the teachers read English model compositions as part of our guided writing strategy and point out good writing techniques used. By reading expressively and enthusiastically, the students never fail to be completely immersed in the story and pick up writing techniques for their own compositions. Yay: Students can learn at their own pace. It goes without saying that every student has their own individual needs. To meet these needs, alongside online English tuition classes, we provide access to our very own e-learning

3. portal, WELearn. Students can access our high-quality content and structured materials as many times as they like for their own revision, including videos, activities, and quizzes. They can rewind, pause and continue at their own pace. Revision dramatically increases a student’s ability to retain and recall information. By going through the materials at their own pace, whether it is before or after each lesson, students can efficiently achieve better retention of the content. Nay: Technology can negatively affect social interactions Many parents and educators alike are skeptical of technology and what it does to students’ ability to verbally communicate. We all heard the warning as children: Those videos would rot our brain! Those words of wisdom could be applied to online learning if lessons simply consisted of teachers droning on and on through a screen. However, our teachers have spared no effort in harnessing technology as a tool to foster interaction, rather than an impediment. By using a variety of technological tools, such as live chat, games, and a virtual whiteboard, students learn to be dynamic in how they learn English and interact with others. That is also why we firmly believe in the importance of a small class size of 6. It is crucial for teachers to pay individual attention to each student, even when their cameras are off. We engage every student with verbal testing and questions, ensuring that they are always on the right track to picking up helpful writing techniques.

4. Yay: Students can learn anytime, anywhere. Today, students are constantly pressed for time. The heavy workload from school, tuition and even extracurriculars leaves students with little time to spend with family or just winding down. To alleviate some of that stress, online English tuition classes reduce travelling time. Students attend lessons in the comfort of their own homes, leaving them with more time for leisure or other commitments. Additionally, with the WELearn portal at their fingertips, students can access our lessons 24/7 to revise with their preferred device, location and time of their choosing. Technology to learn English: The final verdict Of course, there are many more pros and cons we have not addressed in this article, but it really boils down to one’s learning style and habits At Write Edge, we believe the key to using technology to learn English lies in teacher-student interaction. Technology is a tool to be used in the classroom, but a dedicated teacher is always in control, and knows how to use technology to bring out the best in their students. Sensible, purposeful and effective use of technology will never be a detriment to learning! For more information, Get in touch with us. Write Edge Learning Centre Visit: https://www.write-edge.com/ Call Us: +65 8693 8344 Email Us: enquiries@write-edge.com