Downloads & Free Reading Options - Results

This study presents and discusses results from an EFL second language literature program in which the instructional design included a team teaching scheme, blended learning practice, and computer-mediated peer-interaction. The team teaching plan used a Mandarin speaking English teacher and a Native English-speaking teacher collaborating and interacting via the Internet. In order to assist second language learners in in-depth textual understanding, videos presenting cultural perspective as well as multimedia glossaries were created as digital learning materials. An online forum was created using social media including Facebook and a conventional blog for the learners. Qualitative data was collected from interviews and from the Facebook/blog comments written by participants. Interview findings showed that participants of the program found the instructional design to be beneficial, including the team-teaching structure, the digital learning materials offered via the video, and online peer-interaction. Four primary themes and four additional secondary themes emerged in the student's online written discussion. Conclusions and recommendations for practice are presented.

1Boy Crusoe

By Allan Eric

Also published as" A Yankee Crusoe" . A 15 year old hard working and studious farm boy finds the lure of adventure on the seas as a merchant seaman more than he can resist. This is his story. " I was born in a little town in the State of Maine, near the close of the Civil War. My boyhood life did not differ materially from that of the average farmer's son in the remote country districts of New England--except, perhaps, that I read more and thought more. Hard work on the rugged soil, two terms each year in the little yellow country schoolhouse, a day's fishing now and then filled the early years of my life full to over-flowing. " What he gets is enough excitement and adventure to overflow his wildest dreams. How he experiences disaster and uses his wits and knowledge to overcome every problem makes for a great read. - Summary by Phil Chenevert