Hello again from York!
I've really enjoyed catching up with everyone's news - good idea to have a reunion Paul!
Antonio and I were the first bloggers, back in June and July 2006 when World Cup fever gripped even (especially?) people like me who know nothing about any sport. Italy (Antonio's national team) were the overall winners and, on that great day, Antonio wrote his entire post in blue. Last year, England didn't even qualify for Euro 2008, so I will definitely be supporting Italy in the European Cup. Go the Azzurri ! In bocca al lupo - for a translation, check Antonio's blog:
Antonio's blog
(Thursday July 6, 2006)
Also.......many congratulations on your FCE result, Antonio, and your graduation. What subject are you thinking of for your next degree?
I work at a university in the UK and all the staff are encouraged to do research. Last year I used our blog to think about if (and how) online language learning is effective. I looked closely at the way Antonio and I interacted in the blog and at Antonio's responses to my language suggestions. It was very clear that Antonio's writing DID develop during the six week blogging period. This may have been because he was writing regularly, or perhaps because of my feedback, or perhaps he was doing other things to improve his English......who knows?! Anyway, it is possible that regular writing practice and regular feedback do help students make progress - and that online writing/feedback can be as effective as face-to-face.
I gave a presentation on my blogging research at a conference for English language teachers last year. Paul was there with the BBC Learning English team! After the presentation, a member of the audience suggested that I should look at the effect of the feedback on the people who write the COMMENTS in the blog. That would be interesting!
Here's a picture of me, at York St John University, standing in the quad (the photo of my face in the banner at the top of this page is from here.....)
And here is a view of the quad (short for quadrangle: the square or rectangular space surrounded by buildings, the traditional centre of a university campus) from my room in the university....
To finish with, here's my paragraph about my blogging research findings again. Because it is difficult to be completely sure they are correct, researchers often explain their findings using 'hedging' language (in bold):
This may have been because he was writing regularly, or perhaps because of my feedback, or perhaps he was doing other things to improve his English......who knows?! Anyway, it is possible that regular writing practice and regular feedback do help students make progress - and that online writing/feedback may be as effective as face-to-face.
See you again soon!
Rachel (Wicaksono),
Comments
Hi, Rachel. When you were first blogging here, I didn’t find this website. But now, I’m happy to be here with so many amazing teachers. I absolutely agree with you that regularly reading and writing can improve a person’s English. That’s why I come here so frequently. I like the hedging language you mentioned, it’s quite interesting when I’m reading it. It’s like reading a tongue twister. And it’s the first time I know the meaning of “hedging language”. Before I never knew the word “hedge” could be used in this way. You see I’ve made another progress, yes? Hope to read more stories from you. Best wishes for your work and life. Jill.
Hi Rachel , Nice to meet you , It 's a pleasure to speek with you . I hadn't chance to become your commentator and just after your Blogs , i became a reguar commentator . You are right , this Site and specially Blog part is a really big help for brushing up English . And ofcourse we take the advantage of having a native teacher , which is really important as we lack native teachers in our country . In what a beutiful place do you work ? I wish you the best for all your researchs . So long
Hi Rachel, nice to hear from you again, I was one of your regular readers of your wonderful blog,it was interesting as much as helpful, so I owe you big thank. It was the first teacher blog I have read, I noticed the improvement in English I gained from, may be because of easy explanations you have given to us, or because of the subject ' world cup' you wrote about, or the way you made some grammar looks more simple, or may be I live in non native English speaking country and I was aware that interacting with English teacher is a rare opportunity here. Even now, I still go back to your blog and comments in English grammar I've saved on my PC to refresh my memory. Thank you again. With all my best.
Hi Rachel, This entry is good, and the subject “if online language learning is effective?” is useful and popular, benefits to the world. Maybe I would write my experience on the blog before the end of this month. Take care and best wishes, James
Yeah, it's really true, the more you practise using a foreign language, the better you can be. Practice makes prefect (I once heard from a teacher at the British Council in my place said). I haven't got a chance to become a student blogger on this page yet. Anyway, I'll take a second bite of cherry and who knows, I'll be the next one.
hi Rachel,after reading your comment about learning English,I decided to make my first special comment here,perhaps no one could understand what I was saying,or perhaps everything will going smoothly.(you know everything could happen in this tiny world.) Actually I am afraid of writing, not to metion to leave my comment here. Because of this website, I can stand here and saying "It's always the best moment to visit BBC, just like into a magical space I could find many surprise." Thank you everyone!
It's really interesting to hear how useful you all think the blog is for improving your English! I will use your comments in my next piece of research! Xuan - I love your 'second bite of the cherry' expression to informally describe a second attempt. Lovely!
Hi Rachel. It's wonderful to have someone at the other end of the line who is willing to listen and help. First attempt at the blog and hopefully not the last. Thank you for your clear showing of 'hedging language' as it makes such a difference in writing, I believe. Or shall I say it COULD in the same vein? Looking forward to your next posting already!
Hello, Rachel! I’d like to ask you a question about describing people, not about physical appearance but about personalities. What adjectives describe people who show their emotions and share them with others or the ones who keep all they feel to themselves, and people who like the company of others or the ones who like to be alone, and the ones who make friends easily and the ones who don’t ? I think the word ‘temperament’ is the one that describes people’s nature in general. What are the adjectives that describe different types of that nature? Benka from Niš
The bit about hedging language and your explanation of it was a very interesting Rachel. Also the pictures from the university site were good; one could sense the academic atmosphere. I have today been going through the tutors´ blog entries and all them have had something new to learn. Thank you for that!
Hi Rachel! Yes, I find it very useful. We get a chance to expand our vocaboulary with effective English terms and at the same time we can go over our grammar. Good to hear that you are going to support Italy at the European Cup. We will play against the Netherlands after the opening ceremony. Cheers!
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