Which activity most effectively integrates technology for writing practice in an ESL classroom?

The activity involving students corresponding by e-mail with an English-speaking pen pal is particularly effective for integrating technology into writing practice in an ESL classroom for several reasons.

First, this interaction provides students with authentic communication. They are not just writing for the sake of a classroom exercise; they are engaging with a real person, which can motivate them to write thoughtfully and purposefully. This creates a sense of relevance and urgency in their writing.

Second, corresponding with a pen pal encourages the use of conversational language and the informal nuances of English. Students are likely to ask questions and respond to personal experiences, which helps develop their language skills in a contextual and dynamic way.

Moreover, using e-mail allows for immediate feedback and the opportunity for students to reflect on their writing. They can edit their messages based on responses, which fosters a cycle of writing, receiving, and revising. This process is essential in developing writing skills, as it mimics real-world writing scenarios where feedback is common.

In contrast, simply copying sentences or using translation software does not actively promote the same level of engagement or language development. Writing directions for a computer program might focus more on technical language rather than broader communication skills, which are fundamental in an ESL context. Therefore, the pen pal activity