chat and learning English

[khaled]

Dear Members,

Can chat enhance learning of English? if yes how

Are there any benefits of such technology?

Thanks for you help,

[Jim Walsh]

Post by khaled
Dear Members,
Can chat enhance learning of English? if yes how
Are there any benefits of such technology?
Thanks for you help,

By chat, do you mean "msn" and other text/chatting programs?

If so, the answer is yes and no.

Languages are learned by using them.

(The comprehensible input hypothesis says we acquire language when we get
comprehensible input. This is a mouthful so if you want more information on
this point, let me know.)

So a person chats (texts) with someone who knows more of the language will
learn if (and ONLY IF) the person with more knowledge sends "comprehensible"
messages.

On the other hand, spelling and grammar in chatting is not the same as the
spelling and grammar in "standard English". So, the language learned will not
be fully useful in other contexts (like talking or more formal writing).