KOTESOL National Conference 2018
Presentation (45 minutes)
Andrea Rakushin Lee, Konkuk University, Glocal Campus
Online Discussion Forums for Business English Classes
Abstract
Getting students interested in writing may be a challenging task if they are not interested in studying English or do not see benefits in the activities that they are completing. It is important for students to understand the value of writing assignments by completing practical activities that can be useful in the real world. This presentation discusses six practical online discussion forum activities to help motivate students and promote authentic learning activities to help improve their English writing skills. These discussion forum activities include: 1) writing mini-job reports for overseas or domestic jobs, 2) discussing ways to build a professional network, 3) providing answers to 5 common job interview questions, 4) analyzing controversial business issues, 5) discussing current events in business, and 6) sharing a 30 second elevator pitch script. The discussion forums encourage critical thinking as students are required to give substantive feedback to peers and should be assessed on content, quality, and critical thinking. Although these activities are designed for online discussion forums, they can be adapted for use in face-to-face classes. Through these activities, students can be better prepared for navigating the job market and gain helpful advice through instructor and student feedback.
Biographicals
Andrea Rakushin Lee is an assistant professor in the English Language and Culture Department at Konkuk University Glocal Campus in South Korea. Her research interests include refugee education, student interaction in online classes, and the effectiveness of blended learning programs.
See the list of Presentations at the KOTESOL 2018 National Conference
