The Mixxer: Language Exchanges via Skype, What's App and Zoom

Details

Activity Description

Use this Web site to connect individual students or the whole class with native English speakers. Students can write blog postings for you and/or native English speakers to comment on and/or connect and communicate with them via Skype, What's App or Zoom.

Preparation

1. Make sure that the site is not blocked at your school.
2. View the blogs to get ideas for using the site.
3. Decide on the content you plan to have students write or speak about, aligned to your course content and learning objectives. For example, if students are studying simple present tense, perhaps they could write about their daily activities, their hometowns, or their jobs.
4. Have students write and provide feedback on their writing for revision/editing before they post.

How-To

1. Sign up at The Mixxer Web site.
2. E-mail the Web site administrator at bryantt@dickinson.edu requesting teacher permissions.
3. Create a group for your class.
4. Students write group posts for you to review and comment.
5. Invite native speakers to join your group and create a community of language learners.
6. Students can communicate with native speakers via written group posts or Skype.

Teacher Tips

• Discuss with students what content is inappropriate and unsafe to share online.
• You may choose to have students create online alter identities to protect their safety. If you have minors in your class, you may want to consider not using the site.
• Model for students how to use the site—compose a blog post, etc.
• If you have students Skype with a native speaker or another class, check the time zones if the Skype partners are located in another time zone. Also, you will need to have Skype downloaded to the computer(s) you plan to use and will need USB microphones. Be familiar with Skype yourself before having students use it. Also, have students create a list of questions to ask Skype partners. See the FAQs page for more information on using the Mixxer site.

More Ways

Students can be referred to the site to use on their own. They can see a list of groups available to join. (This link is only good after you have an account and are logged in.)

Program Areas

• ESL: English as a Second Language

Levels

• Intermediate Low
• Intermediate High
• Advanced

Lesson Plan

Documents

• Handout- Language-Exchange Profile Worksheet.docx - Handout Language Exchange Profile Worksheet

Standards

• Reading Foundational Skills
  • RF.2 - Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes). (Phonological Awareness)
  • RF.3 - Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. (Phonics and Word Recognition)
  • RF.4 - Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. (Fluency)
• Writing
  • CCR Anchor 4 - Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
  • CCR Anchor 5 - Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
  • CCR Anchor 6 - Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
• Speaking and Listening
  • CCR Anchor 1 - Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
• Language
  • CCR Anchor 1 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
  • CCR Anchor 2 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
  • CCR Anchor 3 - Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.
  • CCR Anchor 4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases by using context clues, analyzing meaningful word parts, and consulting general and specialized reference materials, as appropriate.
  • CCR Anchor 5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
  • CCR Anchor 6 - Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when encountering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

Tags

Tools

Creative Commons License

AI Reference

Used Chat GPT to modify this lesson plan