Elllo English

Elllo English (yes, with the triple L) is an interesting website that provides language learners with various activities that can enhance the learners' language skills such as listening, reading, speaking and writing. Ellloenglish is mainly designed as an online listening materials library available for anyone who would like to use it in classes, as teacher or language learner to learn language just with few clicks of fingers.

The website is well organised and divided into few sections. The first and most important sections are categories that classify all the listening materials, situated at the topmost left of the website. Users are able to easily explore the available materials and activities in ellloenglish. Other than that, there is a search engine provided in the website. The search engine will be the most convenient way for learners or users to search listening materials that tend to their interests and hobbies. In the middle of the website, there are some recommended materials for the convenient of any new learners to explore the website. Moreover, there are more sections in the site like ellloenglish's twitter and an index of all available listening materials. Below is the snapshot of the home screen :

Go to the Ellloenglish website

Elllo Video

Another great feature in ellloenglish's website is the elllovideo. Ellloenglish provides authentic videos recording from various english speaker from throughout the world. There are various videos with different context such as sports, hobbies and much more for learners to choose based on their preferences. For beginners, there are transcription provided as subtitles and text separately. In addition, comprehension quiz are provided for learners who would like to test themselves after done listening to the video. Here is another screenshot featuring one of the elllovideo in this website :

Elllo Video

Application for Teachers


As mentioned earlier, ellloenglish is an useful website especially for teachers who would like to add more varieties and add more ideas into their classroom. In terms of materials, there are various materials available for downloads such as mp3 files, pdf and videos that can be used as teaching materials. Other than that, the videos in ellloenglish provide an example of genuine recordings where the speakers are trying to explain various content. Teachers would be able to teach language and content simultaneously or opt to focus more on whether the language or content bit.

Other than that, ellloenglish is full of features that can encourage autonomous learning. The reading materials, organisation and instructions in the website are all simple and easy to follow. In addition, the transcription provided with each recordings will be very beneficial for beginners to learn a new language. With ellloenglish, users may choose to challenge themselves with more questions and activities or reward themselves by trying the easier materials and activities. There are even 'exam help' section where students can get exam and study tips. Moreover, various materials and games such as songs and much more can make the language learning experience enjoyable and satisfying.

Advantages


1. Students will be exposed to variety of english accents. This will provide more language experience for the students.

2. Authentic materials and content.

3. Variety of topics - culture rounded

4. Users would be able to personalise, making choices and interests based on their own.

5. Provide variety in classroom.

6. Encourage autonomous learning.

7. The website covers almost all skills in language

8. Various context of the listening materials provide motivation for students to listen.

9. Supported by CLIL enthusiasts.

10. Free and there's no need to register an account.

Issues


1. Server issues. Sometimes the website might not be functional if their servers are overloaded.

2. The organisations might confused some first time users.

3. Some of the audio and video quality is not that good

Brainshark

Brainshark is a free website where the user can create, share and track online video presentations regardless for e learning, business and much more. Users can upload their powerpoint slides, and add their voice to the slides. Therefore, producing an engaging and interactive video presentations. The users would be able to share via emails, social networking or embed it on blog and website. Moreover, the audience can assess the video presentation online on-demand at their own convenience.


Teachers and secondary students of all english language levels will definitely benefit from brain shark. It could be use for classroom presentation. Instead of letting the students do the presentation in front of their mates, why not let them prepare this incredible video presentations at home and play them later in the classroom. Teacher might want to use this platform to provide students with extra notes. This can be beneficial especially during the examination weeks as the students revise the notes to the utmost


Here is an example of how brain shark can be used.

 

Go to Brainshark website

Advantages


1. Its free. They do have the paid version with extra features but the free version is still brilliant.


2. Promotes students presentation skill. It can help to lower students anxiety when doing the presentation because nobody sees them. Some students do not like to do presentation. So, this tool will help them to develop their confidence and sooner or later, they can stand in front of their friends and do the presentation.


3. The content can easily be accessed. 


Issues


1. If you are using the free version, your video presentations will be made public. In terms of privacy, this is not good. However ,if you use the paid version, you can choose either to make it public or private.

Dvolver

Dvolver is a simple yet amazing website that allows users to create and customise videos. Users will be able to work through and produce their own short video clips. Users would be able to choose from varieties of situations, characters, setting and even sound effects. Dvolver enable user to express themselves and explore their creativity to the utmost limit.

Recommended : Users with intermediate level of english and knowledge in computer skills.

Go to Dvolver website

Advantages

1. The simple interface featured provides varieties of options that can attract students to explore and relish their potential.

2. Fun way of using language authentically.

3. New learning style for students.

4. Allows students to be creative in using language.

Disadvantages

1. Monitoring - teacher might find it difficult to monitor students in a big classroom.

2. Students might not have the technical ability and not used to work with technology.

3. Resources - Some schools may not have enough computers or internet connection

Example of video created