Using Weblogs in Foreign Language Classrooms: Possibilities and Challenges

Using Weblogs in Foreign Language Classrooms 

      Weblogs have been used in many foreign language classrooms in different ways. A variety of classifications can be made to how weblogs can facilitate language learning, but Campbell (2003)’s three categories for language learning blogs based on their technical structure are widely used: the tutor weblog, the learner weblog, and the class weblog.

1. Possibilities and Challenges of Tutor Weblog
          Tutor weblogs are a platform for communication between teachers and students and among teachers. A tutor weblog can have possible three functions. First, it can function as a space through which a teacher provide learners with course related information such as course syllabus, homework assignments, and assessment criteria. Second, it can function as a platform to help learners explore the Web resources in a guided manner. Third, weblogs can used to allow learners to express their ideas and opinions. This way, learners can have additional opportunities to practice casual, informal writing styles while expressing themselves.

2. Possibilities and Challenges of Learner Weblog
          Since the learner weblogs usually function as ‘online journal that an individual can continuously update with his or her own words, ideas, and thoughts’[4], they are most appropriate for reading and writing classes where the learners are encouraged to write frequently about what interests them and to make comments on other students’ blogs. In this type of class, learners have a stronger purpose to write due to the existence of a real audience.

3. Possibilities and Challenges of Class Weblog 
          Since class weblog are managed with collaborative efforts between students and a teacher it can be used as an effective way to foster a feeling of community among the members of a class. Class weblog can be best used as a collaborative discussion space, an extra-curricular extension of the classroom, encouraging students to reflect more in depth on the topics dealt with in class. Comments and links related to classroom discussion topics assigned for homework can be posted by learners at their own pace depending on learners’ competence levels.