In the current digital age, teachers have a variety of tools at their disposal that they can use to enhance language teaching and learning. One of these tools is ClassInTheBox, which offers a wide range of features that can be leveraged to promote the four essential language skills: speaking, writing, reading, and listening. In this post, we will explore how ClassInTheBox can be used to improve these skills, with a particular focus on the use of authentic and up-to-date materials.
LISTENING
The development of listening comprehension is an essential skill in language learning that can be fostered through the use of ClassInTheBox. With its ability to integrate authentic and up-to-date materials, students can engage with a variety of real and meaningful content, such as movie trailers, news, grammar video tutorials, songs, and even Instagram stories, YouTube shorts, TikToks, and more, if previously uploaded as videos to YouTube.
By interacting with these materials, students have the opportunity to listen to the language being used in a variety of real and meaningful contexts. This not only allows them to practice their listening comprehension skills but also helps them understand how the language is used in the real world, which can be especially useful for improving their fluency and listening comprehension.
READING
ClassInTheBox can be an effective tool for improving reading skills. Students can use the information from the already pintagged videos to read the information that appears in the pins or tags. This reading can involve various forms of text, from short notes and comments to longer and more detailed descriptions.
Additionally, the process of searching for information online to write their own pins and tags can be an excellent way to practice and improve reading in the target language. When faced with a variety of online texts, students have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with different writing styles, vocabulary, and grammatical structures, which can be especially beneficial for improving their fluency and reading comprehension.
WRITING
ClassInTheBox can also be an effective tool for improving writing skills. Students can use the platform to write and present their work through the information written in the pins and tags, but also through the creation of other final products linked from the original video, allowing them to practice writing in a practical and meaningful context. Using the “pintagging” technique will help them develop analytical and reflective writing skills.
SPEAKING
ClassInTheBox can be an incredibly useful tool for developing speaking skills. Students can use the platform to showcase their work, allowing them not only to present the content of their work but also to explain why they have pinned a video in a certain way or why they have introduced a particular presentation or activity.
This active and reflective approach to learning promotes critical thinking and effective communication. A notable example of this is the #WonderWomen project, led by Miguel Armillas, a teacher at Safa San Luis school in El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain. In this project, students use ClassInTheBox to present their work, allowing them to articulate their thoughts and demonstrate their understanding of the material in a way that goes beyond traditional writing.
To get an idea of how students use ClassInTheBox in this context, you can visit a collection of Wakelet with all the works created by the students at this URL:
GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY
The use of pins and tags in ClassInTheBox can be an excellent way to teach grammar and vocabulary. Teachers can create specific materials for this purpose or leverage materials created by other teachers and hosted in the Inspira Gallery or even by the students themselves. For example, a teacher could pin a video with notes on grammatical structures or the use of vocabulary in a dialogue. Similarly, students could pin a video to demonstrate their understanding of certain aspects of grammar or vocabulary.
CONCLUSION
ClassInTheBox is a versatile and effective tool for language teaching that can be used to enhance speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. Its ability to integrate authentic and up-to-date materials, along with the “pintagueo” functionality, makes it a valuable option for any language classroom.
The use of such authentic materials not only provides students with a more relevant and engaging learning experience but also helps them develop stronger and more versatile language skills that are essential for effective communication in the real world.
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