Introduction
English is required in Puerto Rico’s public institutions, while Spanish is the dominant language there. In this regard, teaching English in Puerto Rico is very important and requires taking into account the specifics of the language situation on the island. Teachers must consider the unique features of teaching English as a second language. The article Using Technology in ESL Classroom: Highlights and Challenges offers ideas on how modern technology can teach English that are also relevant to Puerto Rico.
Harnessing Modern Technology for English Language Learning in Puerto Rico
In learning, students can use the Internet to access world information resources. Educational multimedia is one of the strategies suggested by Pazilah et al. that is currently popular in the teaching and learning of the English language (2019). According to practical experience, multimedia technologies that simultaneously use texts, graphics, video content, sound effects, and animation should receive significant attention at the current stage of foreign language teaching.
Educational multimedia provides an opportunity for the comprehensive development of the student’s speech skills when learning a foreign language. This method is relevant for Puerto Rico since the education system is entirely developed there, and many schools have the necessary equipment, such as a computer, projector, or multimedia board. However, this method may not always be applicable in Puerto Rico since schools in small areas may not have the necessary facilities.
The following method the article’s authors propose is using social networks in learning. Pazilah et al. (2019) argue that users can interact and exchange ideas on social media platforms like Facebook, blogs, Instagram, email, and Twitter and use them to find solutions through collaboration and discussion. The use of social networks for learning English aids in the implementation of a personal-activity approach, boosts motivation to learn a foreign language, and lessens stress from the worry of making a mistake.
Using social media to learn English in Puerto Rico can be successful. Numerous chances exist for reading, listening, seeing, and utilizing the language in real-time on social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. For instance, students can subscribe to blogs or news sites in English to read and listen to information in that language. Teachers in Puerto Rico may also create groups to talk about language-related topics or practice English together.
An important method that is presented in the article is authentic learning. According to the authors, authentic teaching’s benefits are no longer limited to learning in real-world practice but can also be realized through the design of Web-based learning environments (Pazilah et al., 2019). Authentic video resources give students a more objective view of reality, aid in memorization, improve listening skills, give them a chance to hear the proper pronunciation of technical terms and abbreviations and boost their motivation. This method can be used in Puerto Rico since most of these original videos can be found on YouTube and the island.
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning English as a second language requires a particular approach from teachers. Different methods are used in the learning process, among which technology in ESL classrooms is central. Educational multimedia is relevant in Puerto Rico since the schools have been developed and have appropriate material bases. Practical is the use of social networks, which contributes to the practice of English outside of school classrooms. Authentic learning should also be actively used in Puerto Rico, as this way, students will learn English in a natural environment.
Reference
Pazilah, F. N., Hashim, H., & Yunus, M. M. (2019). Using technology in ESL classroom: Highlights and challenges. Creative Education, 10(12), 3205–3212. Web.