Second Language Practice Using Blogs and Pen Pals with Native Speakers
Abstract: In the foreign language classroom, blogs have great potential because they can be used as a correspondence tool and they give students the chance to reflect on work they have done. Much research has been done on the benefits of correspondence between learners of a language and those who are native speakers of the language. This study extends a successful pen pal project between classes of students who are native speakers and second language learners in the United States and France to include blogging. In this study, blogging with pen pals is used to improve language skills and cultural understanding of the target language and culture. Minor gains in language skills were made and even more so in relation to cultural understanding with biweekly posting. Many students improved their opinion of learning a second language and results suggest more time for the project could result in better language growth.