OnLine
Discussions:
Listservs and
Idea Exchanges for ESL Teachers
Listservs are computer programs that allow for people with shared interests to carry on discussions using email. To subscribe to a listserv, you send a message to a computer which puts your name and email address on the discussion list. You will receive a Welcome message (usually within a few minutes of subscribing) with detailed directions about how to send messages to the list. You will then receive email messages sent by other subscribers to the listserv. The following listservs are free to all subscribers.
TESL-L is a discussion list for Teachers of English as Second Language. Housed in a computer at the City University of New York, with over 14,000 subscribers from 99 countries, this is a very large discussion list. Topics "focus on classroom issues in teaching English as a second or foreign language and/or TESL/TEFL teacher preparation." Expect to get 5-15 email messages per day when you subscribe.
To subscribe send the following command as mail to LISTSERV@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU
SUB TESL-L yourfirstname yourlastnameFor example: SUB TESL-L Bill Clinton
TESLCA-L, "the COMPUTER-ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING branch of TESL-L, exists for the exchange of information and views specific to the teaching of English as a second or foreign language with the use of technology, specifically computers." In order to join this branch of TESL-L, you must first subscribe to TESL-L.
After subscribing to TESL-L, subscribe to this branch by sending the following command as mail to
SUB TESLCA-L yourfirstname yourlastname
TESLK12 is described as "the sister" net to TESL-L "and promotes discussion among teachers of English to children." You do not need to subscribe to TESL-L in order to subscribe to TESLK-12.
To subscribe to TESLK-12, send the following message to LISTSERV@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU
SUB TESLK-12 yourfirstname yourlastname
NETEACH-L gives directions for subscribing to this discussion list at their Web site. The list is for ESL teachers interested in integrating the use of the Internet into their teaching.
SLART-L is a discussion list for those "interested in second or foreign language acquisition research and/or teaching (SLART). This list is intended as a means of forming a 'community of scholars' in SLA. Individuals may choose to discuss research in progress, 'publish' papers for feedback, [and] solicit advice on teaching methods."
Send the following command as a message to LISTSERV@CUNYV.CUNY.EDU
SUB SLART-L yourfirstname yourlastname
Intercultural email Connections has helped bring together over 6800 teachers from more than 68 countries since its founding in 1994 at St. Olaf's College in Minnesota. You can submit requests for class email partnerships without subscribing to the list. Directions for subscribing to this list and directions for requesting partnerships can be found at this Web site.
International Tutoring Foundation Inc is a discussion list for online tutors. Directions for subscribing are found at this Web site.
Useful Lists for TEFL/TESL offers even more suggestions of discussion lists for ESL professionals
Dave's ESL Idea Page at Dave's ESL Cafe includes a long list of ideas submitted by ESL teachers over the past two years. You do not have to subscribe to read the submissions. The site also provides a Web-based form so that you can share your ideas.
Dave's email Connections for ESL/EFL Teachers, also found at Dave's ESL Cafe, provides an easy-to-use Web-based way for teachers to make email contact with other teachers. Instead of joining a discussion list, you can send email messages to individual teachers who have posted a message on the Web page, or you can post your own message and wait for responses from teachers reading this Web page.