As I was searching for vocabulary activities requiring computer use, I found the Visual ESL website (http://www.visualesl.com/). This website provides interactive vocabulary activities, the majority of which include visual representation of some sort (photo, drawing, etc). One can select from lists of vocabulary topics grouped according to five skill levels (Elementary, Lower-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate, and Advanced). The practice activities include drag-and-drop, fill-in, and multiple-choice quiz activities. Following the activity for each topic, there is a vocabulary list with audio clips of the pronunciation for each word.
The Activities for ESL Students website contains within it an extensive vocabulary practice section, which may be found at the following location: http://a4esl.org/q/h/vocabulary.html. The site offers many useful activities, including matching and multiple-choice quizzes. I think that it would be beneficial to students to be exposed to the vocabulary lists before doing the activities on the website. I would probably not use the Words Beginning with [fill in the letter] in a class, because the vocabulary items are not contextualized around a particular theme.
Question(s):
Which of the two websites would you prefer to use in an ESL class? Why?
Reflection on CALL Experience
14 years ago
Sabah, actually, I like both for different reasons. The Visual ESL site is well designed (along the K.I.S.S. principle) and I like the way it builds quizzes off of the lists provided by other websites, providing layers of useful sources. On the other hand, a4esl in general is a great resource because of the number of activities it offers. Your're right, though, that a4esl does not always provide the necessary input to help students prepare for their activities and quizzes.
ReplyDeleteSabah, could you please tweet the link to visual esl along with a brief description? It would be a great way to get the word out on this useful resource!
Terrie,
ReplyDeleteI've 'tweeted' the links, and you can also find them in my Delicious account. Thank you for the feedback!
Sabah,I really liked the opening of this website and how the site was broken down by level and then again by topic within the level. I think this can be helpful especially when you are teaching a specific topic and want some additional tools to help your students.
ReplyDeleteErin,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment!