Teach English in Shuitou Zhen - Luliang Shi

As TESOL teachers in the United States, we teach English as a second language to help individuals communicate and connect with the world around them so they might live, learn, and work in their environment. But language is only a part of the transcultural skillset required to integrate into our community. Many individuals who arrive in our classroom come from countries where the virtual world is just an idea, some having never clicked a mouse or seen the layout of a keyboard. To them, interacting with computers is a completely foreign concept. So, one could argue, that learning the language of the digital world is every bit as important as learning the English language. It is our job to keep this in mind as teachers. Everything from societal and cultural norms to technology acumen are important when teaching English to those from other countries. So much of communication and connection in today’s world occurs in a digital format, making the incorporation of the digital literacy element a necessity in the ESL classroom. The American Library Association (ALA) defines digital literacy as “the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills.” Digital literacy is so much more than just basic computer skills, as it incorporates the use of technology in problem-solving, gathering information, communication, and leveraging the digital world to augment and enrich our lives. We teach English as a second language in the United States to help individuals participate in their community, obtain goods and services, find and keep jobs, and seek further education or training. And critical to the execution of these tasks is the proficient use of technology. In performing tasks such as purchasing an item online, sending an email, filling out a job application, or doing research for a class, these skills are imperative. Something as simple as teaching a student how to Google information, can empower them with the independence to live confidently in a foreign country. Whether in a work environment, school setting, or in day-to-day life, experience in the digital world is essential to success in the United States. Teaching English without also helping individuals become digital citizens would be, in essence, cheating our students. Particularly in a Business English setting, the majority of students will be required to use computers, supporting hardware, and the internet to perform their jobs adequately. Along with teaching English in a business situation, it is our obligation as teachers to incorporate technology into classroom activities. There are a number of ways to do this including encouraging learners to play English-language games on the internet, having them perform their reading and writing (or even listening and speaking) tasks on the computer or internet, or tasking them with creating a resume in Microsoft Word or filling out a job application online. In many companies, financial reports, memos, presentations, training materials, and resources are only available on computers, so equipping our learners with the knowledge to become digitally literate is essential to their success in the workplace. Digital platforms for learning English can also offer a more stimulating learning environment than a whiteboard or workbook. It often makes language acquisition easier, as the student can work in a natural and authentic context with endless resources at their fingertips. Fundamentally, they will be learning English without feeling like they’re working to learn the language. By allowing them to practice their digital and English skills simultaneously, students will hone cognitive, communication, and technical capabilities, further helping them acclimate to life in the United States. This practical application of the language in an authentic setting will aid in acquisition, while improving their overall accuracy and fluency in English. Incorporating digital literacy elements into our English lessons also creates a more interactive classroom, which caters to a larger subset of learners. Many students, children and adults alike, don’t fare well in a typical classroom setting. Therefore, affording versatility in tasks and activities by leveraging the virtual world sets a larger number of individuals up for success. Providing students with the digital literacy tools to problem-solve and obtain information (pertaining to learning English or otherwise) is an invaluable asset that will serve them long after they’ve left the classroom.