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What is English Central?
English Central is an interactive tool that uses a wide range of videos to present authentic language usage at a variety of proficiency levels and in a wide range of subject matters. The program enhances speaking and listening skills and also aides in learning vocabulary.
One good aspect of the video choices is the short duration of many of the film clips. This allows students to view films repeatedly to gain familiarity with vocabulary and with pronunciation. Vocabulary is linked to definitions within the video framework so students do not feel like they are using a dictionary. This provides a feeling of flow that allows the student to focus on the learning tasks he/she needs to work on.
There are several tracking features that enable both the student and the teacher to assess effort and proficiency. Goals are set by the teacher and both the number of "views" and "levels reached" are recorded by the software.
The voice recognition “grades” the student responses and gives immediate and unlimited feedback because it is computer generated. But, because it is computer generated, it does have its limitations and, quite frankly, some students do seem to resent being corrected by a machine. Positive benefits, however, outweigh the negative aspects. Although there are “free” seats available, premium (i.e. paid per month) seats are superior. In spite of this, because of their past classroom experiences with the program, Anne and Brenda believe it is a worthwhile tool for many students.
Ok, I'm interesting in trying it out. Now what?
access trial codes TESOL EVO 2014.pdf
Directions for students
Directions for teachers
Hints and Tips for Using EnglishCentral.pdf
Comments (4)
susangaer said
at 4:07 pm on Jan 20, 2014
I watched some of the videos on idioms and I didn't really like it. The videos are very short (less than 20 secs) and while they show the use of the world in real language, they don't help the student understand anything. It went by so fast that I wasn't able to even really hear what they said and had to check back to see what the idiom was. The clips are just to short for a student to comprehend.
eagle7wing@... said
at 9:27 pm on Feb 4, 2014
Susan, I'm sorry I missed your comment earlier. You observations are interesting. For the students that I teach, they much preferred this to the older version of Rosetta Stone and an older version of Tell Me More. It gives them at least some more exposure to English outside of the classroom. Anne H.
Elisenda said
at 4:18 pm on Feb 3, 2014
How long would our trial code be working? Because I've already got an account in English Central, free one, and I don't know if I should register with the code you sent me or if it's just for the weeks of the course... Still catching up with the course... a bit busy last week... But next weekend -if not during this week- I'll do all my homework! It's just that I want to read almost all the post and keep in my delicious all the links! ;-) Loving it, so far, thanks. Elisenda.
eagle7wing@... said
at 9:24 pm on Feb 4, 2014
Elisenda,The trial code is only for a month for you to share with your students if you want. If what you have is working do that. I'm delighted that you are loving it. Anne H.
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