KEYPAL PROJECTSKEYPAL PROJECTS Penpals are people who regularly write Penpals are people who regularly write

friendly letters to each other but they friendly letters to each other but they never meet. never meet. At school, it is often used to practice At school, it is often used to practice readingreading and and writingwriting in other language, in other language,

to improve to improve literacyliteracy, to learn more about other , to learn more about other culturescultures

This is cheaper, easier and faster: so, it allows children to write and read more.This is cheaper, easier and faster: so, it allows children to write and read more.

Key pal projects may be used just for Key pal projects may be used just for communicationcommunication but also teachers can but also teachers can enrich the project designing a enrich the project designing a webquestwebquest which must be done by two keypals which must be done by two keypals exchanging information about their culturesexchanging information about their cultures

Keypal is the modern version using e-Keypal is the modern version using e-mails. mails.

Keypal for communication or as a project. Keypal for communication or as a project.

BENEFITS BENEFITS REAL AND NATURAL COMMUNICATIONREAL AND NATURAL COMMUNICATION

INTERCULTURAL AWARENESSINTERCULTURAL AWARENESS

HOW TO WRITE E-MAILS IN ENGLISHHOW TO WRITE E-MAILS IN ENGLISH

MORE COMPLEX DISCOURSEMORE COMPLEX DISCOURSE

MODEL OF CORRECT ENGLISH BY A MODEL OF CORRECT ENGLISH BY A NATIVE SPEAKERNATIVE SPEAKER

There is an authentic reason for writing: meet a friendThere is an authentic reason for writing: meet a friend

They may learn about other cultures and explain their own cultureThey may learn about other cultures and explain their own culture

It is a need for many jobs: the vast majority of the communicationIt is a need for many jobs: the vast majority of the communication

Conversational style, more questions…Conversational style, more questions…

They may notice the gap between the two language productions and they can They may notice the gap between the two language productions and they can also imitate some expressionsalso imitate some expressions

BENEFITS BENEFITS There is no pressure in this kind of There is no pressure in this kind of

communication.communication.

Teacher-learner interaction is improved Teacher-learner interaction is improved since it is no confined to the classroomsince it is no confined to the classroom

The ephemeral nature of computer writing The ephemeral nature of computer writing helps learners perceive writing as a helps learners perceive writing as a process, not as a product.process, not as a product.

Keypal projects develop writing and Keypal projects develop writing and reading skills, as well as critical thinking.reading skills, as well as critical thinking.

Keypal projects are motivating for learners Keypal projects are motivating for learners because it is still a new phenomenom in because it is still a new phenomenom in communication devices.communication devices.

Shy learners feel more confident because there is not face to face interaction.Shy learners feel more confident because there is not face to face interaction.

Learners receive more individual feedback.Learners receive more individual feedback.

Finding a Keypal Group: http://www.stolaf.edu/network/iecc/index.html

GUIDELINES FOR SETTING UP A KEYPAL PROJECT.GUIDELINES FOR SETTING UP A KEYPAL PROJECT.

Clarify the goalsClarify the goals::- to teach new computer skillsto teach new computer skills- to create a certain type of linguistic to create a certain type of linguistic

environmentenvironment- to enhance intercultural understanding…to enhance intercultural understanding…Integrate the e-mail project into the course Integrate the e-mail project into the course

curriculum (not as an add-on activity)curriculum (not as an add-on activity)

Do not understimate the complexity of an e-Do not understimate the complexity of an e-mail project.mail project.

Learner-centred classroom: learners must be Learner-centred classroom: learners must be involved in the decision-making process. involved in the decision-making process.

Teacher as: Teacher as: - FacilitatorFacilitator

-AdvisorAdvisor

- MonitorMonitor- Co-ordinator Co-ordinator

of group of group planningplanning

- Motivator.Motivator.

LINKS FOR KEYPALLING AND PROJECTS LINKS FOR KEYPALLING AND PROJECTS WITH CHILDREN:WITH CHILDREN:

http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/menu_penpals.php3http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/menu_penpals.php3

http://www.ks-connection.org/http://www.ks-connection.org/

http://www.youthonline.ca/penpals/penpalsforkids.shtmlhttp://www.youthonline.ca/penpals/penpalsforkids.shtml..

http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/menu_penpals.phphttp://www.studentsoftheworld.info/menu_penpals.php

http://www.ks-connection.org/http://www.ks-connection.org/

http://www.youthonline.ca/penpals/penpalsforkids.shtmlhttp://www.youthonline.ca/penpals/penpalsforkids.shtml