Tips and Resources

How can we let our students participate in an email exchange without a computer lab?
Access:
• Internet cafes
• Public libraries
• Ask friends to help
• Student volunteers
• Traditional post
In class:
• Pen and paper
• You type responses
• Student volunteers
• Scan handwritten messages
• Overheads
• Students read in groups
• Students read out loud
• Student to student responses
• Poster boards

Points to consider:
• Structured, but flexible
• Authentic
• Uncensored, but polite
• Student-centered
• Mutual interest

How can I find a partner class?
• Know what you want
• Be specific
• Market your students

Some resources:

http://www.malhatlantica.pt/teresadeca/school/spiritofxmas.htm

An excellent example of classroom email exchanges between 6th grade Portuguese students and American 5th graders.

http://www.epals.com

A great resource to find a partner class in the US or other countries and to post your own class profile.

http://www.atueli.blogspot.com

An instructor at Arkansas Tech University English Language Institute uses a blog to manage classroom assignments. Explore the possibilities.

http://www.blogger.com

Where to make your blog for free- and not much more complicated than opening an email account!