To Chat or Not to Chat . . .

Face-to-face, Synchronous CMC & Asynchronous CMS: All three methods of communication have their merits for language learners. Face-to-face small-group discussions give learners a chance to work on oral communication skills and to understand visual cues they receive through body language. No technology can replace live face-to-face interaction. Students learn how to work together to negotiate tasks which gives the an opportunity to use language skills they will need outside the classroom. Students are also much more likely to make friends in a face-to-face setting that is non-scripted and spontaneous. For shy students or for those whose language skills are low, however, face-to-face interaction can be intimidating. Synchronous CMC is useful in the classroom if students are working on projects together across the room or in environments that need to stay quiet. Chatting online is fun and non-threatening. Students who are more skilled with written language will have a chance to interact without worrying about their accents, and they will have more time to formulate responses. Chats can create problems, though. Students might assume a familiarity that does not exist offline and begin chatting off-topic or about inappropriate subjects. Synchronous chat can be a fast-paced environment. Asynchronous CMC is great for doing group projects when students can't get together face-to-face. This environment is good in that there is a record of all correspondence. Students can work together to create documents even though they can't be online at the same time. This allows students who need more time to process before writing the opportunity to succeed. Students can also share more than words here - they can share pictures, videos, web pages, etc. Students are less likely to waste time in this environment and to create work of a higher quality because they know their professor can easily check on their work.