Abstract:
Successful ESL/EFL teaching can take many forms. The question is how great is the success, and how long and hard do the students and teachers have to work to experience this success. I propose that overall Vygotsky's sociocultural theory helps drive most modern classrooms. Therefore, a brief literature review which highlights ESOL, composition, and sociocultural theory will be necessary. Based on this language learning theory, I feel that by using a combination of traditional methods and FirstClass®, an interactive online writing environment, the students will learn faster and better than with strictly traditional methods. My project will investigate using first class in ESOL classrooms.FirstClass® was chosen over other programs for several reasons. First, it follows the premises of ESL/EFL, composition, and sociocultural theory. Second, it is fully compatible with MS Office, Corel Suite 8, and Macintosh software. Also, because it is simple to operate, the students can progressively familiarize themselves with the environment as the class moves through several assignments. Also, it is one of the most inexpensive online writing environments on the market. This is important because cost often causes institutions to avoid the use of worthwhile programs.I intend to show how FirstClass® can be used to create two interesting forms of student writing: a hypertext and a research paper. Although, at the present time, the hypertext is not as common as other forms of academic writing, it is one which is quicklygaining recognition. I will also evaluate FirstClass® and propose changes which would have both theoretical and practical importance.