Teaching with Technology

Living in a networked society enables second language (L2) learners to exchange information and explore ideas with many different culturally diverse people.  Merging formal and informal education practices is an ideal situation for L2 learners in today’s society as well as for educators.  Creating an environment such as affinity spaces in second language learning is where these two aspects can join together to offer students powerful learning opportunities. 

 Most L2 learners entering higher education are either acquainted or fully immersed in the affinity space activity outside the classroom.   These type affinity spaces include websites, chat rooms, or blogs.  Formal education usually provides a traditional learning environment where instructions are given on how to do a particular task and then the students do it.  In this environment the teacher remains the main source of information; but, in affinity spaces there are multiple sources of information that can changes the whole dynamics of learning for L2 learners.  Second language educators encourage students to become confident and independent learners.  

Learning a second language is a very difficult task because the ability to produce the native like feel for the target language is lost after a certain age; therefore, learners must be motivated or they will not learn.  Interactivity is a key factor in successfully learning a second language.   Unlike traditional classrooms affinity spaces offer a place for students to experience interactivity while communicating with different people all over the world.   It is important for language teachers to give students plenty of activities that promote the development of automaticity.   Affinity spaces can offer L2 learners the additional practice they need in learning to communicating effectively.   Being able to take your classroom experiences and extending them to real life situations is the ultimate goal of an L2 learner.