english for specific porpose

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Maria José Luzón Marco
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P A I N

Internet
Content-based

A c t i v St i eP i s
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nglish for

pecific

urposes

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HE NEED TO PROMOTE TECHNOLOGICAL LITERACY AMONG STUDENTS AND THE

focus on content-based instruction as the most appropriate method to learn and construct knowledge have resulted in the development of activities to integrate the Internet into the classroom. WebQuests are activities designed for this purpose that take full advantage of the resources on Internet.
Although the WebQuests free to use on the Internet are designed for native speakers and have not been developed as activities for second and foreign language learning, I propose that they can be effectively used as activities for a content-based approach to English for Specific Purposes (ESP) instruction. In this article I will describe the benefits of a content-based approach to ESP, examine how WebQuests can be integrated into a content-based ESP syllabus, analyse the different types of WebQuests suitable for ESP teaching (specifically for engineering students), and discuss the limitations of this type of activity and the factors that should be taken into account when using WebQuests for language learning.

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Technology in a content-based syllabus for ESP

In addition to the benefits just cited, the
Internet provides the resources necessary to carry out authentic projects and analysis, and thus develop the communicative competence of ESP students. Such resources allow teachers to design simulation activities and role-playing using authentic material. Kimball (1997) points out that “Internet-generated materials can be flexibly arrayed to engage students with topics and cognitive tasks relevant to students’ professional futures.”

A content-based

References: Abraham, T. 1998. The interactive, virtual management information systems (MIS) classroom: Creating an active learning environment on the Braine, G. 1989. Writing in science and technology: An analysis of assignments from ten undergraduate courses. English for Specific Purposes, 8, 1, pp Brown, I. 1999. Internet treasure hunts: A treasure of an activity for students learning English Internet TESL Journal, 5, 3. Retrieved April 1, 2002 from the World Wide Web: Brucklacher, B. and B. Gimbert. 1999. Role-playing software and WebQuests—What’s possible with cooperative learning and computers Chávez, M. 1998. Learner’s perspective on authenticity. IRAL: International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching, 36, 4, pp. Cotton, E. 1998. The online classroom: Teaching with the Internet Craik, F. and R. Lockhart. 1972. Levels of processing: A framework for memory research. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 11, pp. Dodge, B. 1995. WebQuests: A technique for Internet-based learning ———. 1999. WebQuest taskonomy: A taxonomy of tasks ———. 2001. A WebQuest of WebQuests. Retrieved April 1, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestwebquest.html. Kasper, L. 2000a. Content-based college ESL instruction ———. 2000b. New technologies, new literacies: Focus discipline research and ESL learning communities. Language Learning and Technology, 4, 2, pp. 105–128. Retrieved April 1, 2002 E Kimball, J. 1997. Concept-acquisition: Tapping the Internet for ideas ———. 1998. Task-based medical English: Elements for Internet-assisted language learning. CALL Journal, 11, 4, pp. 411–418. Retrieved April 1, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http: Krauss, M. 2000. Let’s create Web-based learning activities! Paper presented at the ORTESOL conference, Portland, OR, October. Retrieved April 1, 2002 from the World Wide Web: Mak, L. 1995. Language learning of a new kind. Retrieved April 1, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.hku.hk/ssrc/newLeam.html. March, T. 1997. Working the Web for education: Theory and practice on integrating the Web for learning. Retrieved April 1, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ozline.com/ ———. 1998. WebQuests for learning. Retrieved April 1, 2002 from the World Wide Web: Pohan, C. and C. Mathison. 1998. WebQuests: The potential of Internet-based instruction for Schmeck, R. R. 1986. Learning styles and learning strategies Seamon, M. 1999. Connecting learning and technology for effective lesson plan design. Paper presented at the 54th Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development conference, Spiro, R. J. and J. Jehng. 1990. Cognitive flexibility and hypertext: Theory and technology for the non-linear and multidimensional traversal of