Blogging in a Classroom Setting

The ways in which I would incorporate blogs into the classroom corresponds with the New York State Standards in ESL  specifically for grades 9-12. The two standards which I would utilize include ESL4: Language for Social Interaction, and ESL5: Language for Cross-Cultural Knowledge and Understanding. I have outlined below the specific requirements for each standard, as stated by New York State :

1. Language for Social Interaction; Performance Indicator 1A  and 1B (ESL4.C.1A, ESL4.C.1B)

• Students use a variety of oral, print, and electronic forms for social communication and for writing to or for self, applying conventions of social writing
• Students describe, read about, participate in, or recommend a favorite activity, book, song, or other interest to various audiences

2. Language for Cross-Cultural Knowledge and Understanding

• Students will demonstrate cross-cultural knowledge and sensitivity in communicating with others of varied social, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds. They will develop and use culturally appropriate behaviors, and a knowledge of local and US cultures and practices, in their interactions with others in their new cultural environment

As stated in Language for Social Interaction, the use of blogs would open a sphere of communication for which students can practice their English reading and writing skills. I would be able to post pictures and videos to connect an academic theory or idea (i.e. places in the home) with a concrete visual of, say, a kitchen and living room. The students then can have a better understanding about our use of words such as "kitchen" and "bathroom", and from there establish a literal and visual vocabulary of other components such as "refrigerator" or "bathtub". By establishing these visual and written components, students can then comment about what their room looks like, what their favorite room in the house is, what their dream house looks like. Such discussion allows for creative thinking within a sphere of immediate, open communication.

Additionally, I would use a blog to establish a space of cultural acceptance. While my job would be to assimilate students into the English language and culture, it is crucial not to ignore the various backgrounds that exist in the classroom. Through a blog I can showcase various American traditions, such as holidays, cuisine, and entertainment as aspects of American life. Music videos, recipes, and visuals would allow students to better engross themselves into a new way of life and allows them to compare one way of life to another. I would then encourage students to make their own posts about their cultural background, sharing with us what they feel stands out in their own culture. In doing so, students can practice appropriate cultural behavior, and the classroom (and blog-sphere) can be a place of universal acceptance and cultural understanding.