WebQuests: Refuse boring language class!

Week 5: WebQuests: A stimulating trip in English language class!

👀Introduction:

As an English teacher, do you know how to adopt the effective teaching approach: TBLT into English class? Have you experienced dejection when your students are not interested in your instructions? Are you curious about how to motivate students and increase their class engagement? Today, I will help you cope with your issue by introducing WebQuests to you!

👴What is WebQuests? 

👦The definition of WebQuests

As one of its founders, Dodge said: "A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the Web. WebQuests are designed to use learners' time well, to focus on using information rather than looking for it, and to support learners' thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis and evaluation".

Here is the video about the introduction of WebQuests. I hope it is helpful for you!

👧The components of WebQuests

Normally, WebQuests are based on specific tasks for learners in language class. There are main 6 sections in on WebQuest task.

• Introduction: In this part, you can give students a general instructions about what context in which they need to deal with the task. Also, you can use some techniques such as Voki which I have introduced in my second blog post, to arouse students' interest. 
• Task: It provides students with information about what objectives they should achieve after the task.
• Process: In the process, teachers should give detailed steps for students finishing their task. 
• Resources: In this section, students are provided with a list of website links which are selected by the teacher. The aim for teachers' scaffolding of selecting resources on the Internet for students is to save students' time and allow them to focus on the task, rather than surf online randomly.
• Evaluation: This is a new module for teachers and learners themselves evaluating the learning outcomes.
• Conclusion: "Conclusion" provide students one opportunity to reflect on their learning process and learn from the task experience.

👵How to apply WebQuests into English class?

Actually there seems no fixed standard in how to use this in class. In this part, I prefer to show you one WebQuests I really like. Thus, you can understand how to put it into practice in your future teaching life. 

              Search for:  http://questgarden.com/147/00/7/120731094657/index.htm

The tenor of this task is "travelling in England", in which third through fifth grade students are required to create a travel brochure by cooperation while learning about the UK. Then I will use three categories to say why the use of WebQuests can help students in English language learning.

1. Autonomy: During the process, students are divided into different groups in terms of their own interest. Respecting their interest is one important and effective way to enhance students' autonomy. Also, students are given a chance to design brochures by themselves. 
2. Cooperation/teamwork: This task requires students work together which helps students learn how to work with others for the purpose of obtaining the best learning outcomes.
3. Language skills: Through reading the instruction, discussing the demand of the task and writing brochures of the trip, students can improve their reading, speaking and writing skills.

👳How to create WebQuests?

So I am sure you have already had some understanding about the WebQuests in language teaching. Now I will give you an online link for you learning how to design it by yourselves!

💀Limitation:

As I have mentioned before, WebQuests normally includes tasks which require students to work together. On one hand, it is a good chance to help students improve their autonomy. On the other hand, it relies heavily on their self-discipline. For example, in a team, those with low-level motivation may contribute limited work and just rely on their peers. Thus, as teachers it is necessary to give them some guidance and supervise them during the process properly.