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Webbing In
Eugenia D. Coutavas
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| Eugenia D. Coutavas |
As an ESL teacher working in several (IEPs) academic intensive English language programs, teaching various levels and skills, I am always on the lookout for well-designed and user-friendly Web sites that I can use to supplement my own materials. Well about a year ago I found just the thing - an easy and fast way to incorporate some technology and humor into my ESL classroom.
What is it?
MakeBeliefsComix.com is a Web site created by Bill Zimmerman (bio) that allows users to create their own cartoon strips and then print or e-mail them. It includes a great new feature called ‘Writer’s Prompts’ that supplies ideas helpful for writing teachers.
Why do I recommend it?
I recommend this Web site for three reasons: ease of use, cross-skill application, and the “familiarity factor.” The site is very easy to use and it’s free. You simply choose from a selection of characters, click and drag them into a panel and then add either dialogue or thought boxes. Poof! You’ve become Charles Schulz for the day. You may also choose from various emotions for each character, change their size or stance, and customize color. Even though the idea of students creating their own comic strip may seem more appropriate for lower levels, it can easily be used with higher levels. It has obvious applications in a writing class, but can also be used to reinforce specific grammar structures or specific vocabulary words for an oral skills class. Lastly, what I call the “familiarity factor” is the fact that all students, regardless of level, are familiar with the format of a comic strip. To me this is the most attractive feature because it creates a comfort zone for students – it allows them to experiment with language.
I last used it in a high-intermediate level oral skills ESL class. We were exploring the theme of Ancient Greek mythology and had just finished reading a graphic novel about the Trojan War. After demonstrating a simple two-panel comic for the entire class, I assigned it as homework. Students had to choose their favorite character from the Trojan War and create a strip using one of the words from our vocabulary list for that unit. I simply e-mailed everyone the link and they e-mailed their finished cartoon to me. I later selected a few to share with the whole class. This assignment was hugely successful because it highlighted the humor and creativity of my students, while reinforcing the target vocabulary. Students even exchanged strips with each other unprompted.
Comic strips appeal to everyone. I urge you to check out the MakeBeliefs site. Create a strip for yourself and then explore all the ways you can use it in your ESL classroom.
Have fun!
I look forward to sharing my technology/Web discoveries with you. Feel free to contact me with your discoveries at Webbing In at: dialogue@nystesol.org.
Eugenia "Debbie" Coutavas received a B.A. in History of Art with a minor in photography from the University of La Verne in Athens, Greece, and an M.A. in TESOL from Hunter College. In addition to teaching for more than ten years, Debbie was also the Web site coordinator for Hunter College's IELI Web site.