Foreign Language Learning Applications Workshop

Practical Applications to Innovative Technologies that Assist in Foreign Language Learning with Orlando R. Kelm

This workshop will focus on the use of innovative communication technologies that can also be used in foreign language learning, both classroom situations as well as for individual study. Some web technologies are designed specifically for language learning, but others exist for social interactions and communication. These become powerful tools for language learners, especially as they build portfolios, collaborate with others, brainstorm on projects, participate in surveys, organize thoughts, and review content, all in a foreign language. Participants of this workshop will use or reference the following tools: Aurasma, Vyclone, Coogle.it, ThingLink, List.ly, Kahoot, Socrative, Padlet, Photofunia, HelloTalk. The participants will come away with new insights into how to modify these tools for their own foreign language learning contexts. Additionally all of the technologies demonstrated in this session are available free of charge, adding to the possibility of using them as ancillary materials to existing courses and programs.

This is a hands-on workshop. Participants are invited to bring mobile devices, phones, tablets, or laptops (although they can participate by watching). Most of the tools can be demonstrated live without creating an account. This means that participants in the workshop use these tools similar to how students will use them in the future.

Dr. Orlando R. Kelm is an Associate Professor of Hispanic Linguistics at the University of Texas at Austin where he teaches courses in Portuguese and Spanish, focusing mainly on business language and the cultural aspects of international business communication.  He also serves as the Associate Director of Business Language Education at the Center for Global Business at the McCombs School of Business.

Professor’s Kelm’s research and publications center on the cultural aspects of international business and the pedagogical applications of innovative technologies in language learning, focusing mainly on Latin America and Brazil. He teaches MBA elective courses, usually taught in Spanish, on the cultural aspects of doing business abroad. He has also led a number of the MBA Global Connections trips, both to South America and China.