Lesson 2.2: How to use ReadLang to support vocabulary and reading
| Questions to consider: |
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| How can ReadLang help students in and out of the classroom? Why would using ReadLang help students' literacy in the target language? |
Return to: Literacy in the 21st Century Foreign Language Classroom, Unit 2: Using ReadLang to Aid Students with Comprehension and Understanding
Introduction
Now that we have explored the ReadLang platform and how it works, we are going to learn about suggested ways that ReadLang can be used in your foreign language classroom to help students' literacy skills. The three main ways that ReadLang can be used are in the classroom (with the entire class), in classrooms with a Project-Based Learning format and/or using for WebQuests in-class, and in a Flipped Classroom.
Your assignment
As you read through the suggested ways to incorporate ReadLang into your classroom, please select a thematic unit and a ReadLang method. You will be sharing your answers by going onto this link and reading how other foreign language teachers would use ReadLang in their classroom.
ReadLang in the Classroom
Deciphering words in context:
Materials you will need:
- Teacher computer
- Projector or SMARTBoard
- Class sized print out copies of a text
If you are seeking to reinforce meanings of specific words, a suggested method is to upload a text to ReadLang where some words appear multiple times but in different contexts. Provide enough time for all students to read the passage, encouraging them to focus on the selected words. When the class is regrouped to go over the text, ask students what their definition of the selected word is in one sentence. After receiving an answer, select the word in the ReadLang document so that students can see what the suggested definition is and see if the class agrees on this definition.
In general, this could be used as an introductory activity to a thematic unit before introducing vocabulary at any age level. This could be a great review of false cognates for middle school students. This might be an activity to practice verbs/nouns with multiple meanings for high school students.
For reviewing thematic vocabulary:
Materials you will need:
- Teacher computer
- Projector or SMARTBoard
- Vocabulary review sheet
Before this activity is used in class, your teacher account will need to have selected all of the vocabulary words in texts on or uploaded to ReadLang. To practice vocabulary before a quiz/test/assessment, a suggested method is to select the flash card section of ReadLang and divide students into two teams. You read the sentence out loud, and the team that 'buzzes' first gets to submit their answer (similar to Family Feud). Students write down the sentence on their review sheet. You select the answer (on computer) or a representative selects their answer (on SMARTBoard)- if the team answers correctly, they receive a point. If they do not answer correctly, students write down the correct answer on their vocabulary review sheet.
In general, this could be used for any age level for reviewing vocabulary while having students focus on recall through reading sentences in the target language.
ReadLang in PBL and WebQuests
ReadLang is a great platform to use with the literacy methods mentioned in Unit 1. Since ReadLang requires the use of an internet connection, using this platform requires either the use of a laptop/iPad cart or having students use their phones. Here are some examples of how to integrate ReadLang into literacy methods:
Jigsaw
Provide each group with a search entry to enter into the ReadLang Library (you should upload the document before administering this lesson). Each group reads their articles and discusses with their group members the main messages/ideas of their text. When the class is regrouped, every group shares what their members contributed.
SQ3R
A modified version of SQ3R might be to have students translate each section heading (of a longer text passage) to what they think it means in English, and then use ReadLang to translate the titles after close reading to confirm/clarify previous understanding.
ReadLang in the Flipped Classroom
If you are looking to eliminate passive time spent in class, you could assign a reading for students to complete at home (or outside of class if they do not have access to internet at home). Due to the layout of ReadLang, there is no way for one user to see what texts have been read by other users. In order to ensure that students have done the reading, you should also include a Google Form or other online assessment that requires students to answer comprehension questions upon completion. Another way to ensure students have done the reading is to have them write down 5-10 words that they clicked on while reading the text.
Homework assignments might entail flash card practice a couple of times a week, having students use the Chrome extension and summarize an article they found on a Spanish website, or motivating students to read at least 1 article/day (5 in a week) and charting the titles: students who complete the 5/week receive a prize (hw pass, candy, etc.).
A word of caution: ReadLang is not like Quizlet where teachers can have classrooms and see how many students have gone on their class site/completed review games. Keep in mind the level of responsibility of your students before using ReadLang in a flipped classroom.
Reflection Questions
- What ReadLang method is best for my students' needs?
- How can I used the suggested methods for incorporating ReadLang into my classroom and my pedagogy?