Chatbots

Image: pureclipart.com
Chatbots are robots that respond to text.  Chatbots are a great way for EAL students to develop basic conversation skills either by talking to a chatbot or developing their own chatbot.  Bots as language learning tools is an article that discusses the potential for bots to benefit EAL students. Below are some chatbot sites: 


pandorabots- create your own chatbots!
chatbots.org- A large collection of chatbots.   
jabberwacky.com Speak to George or Joan in text or say it aloud.  
cleverbot.com Type questions into a text box to talk to the cleverbot.  
icogno.com Speak to Joan a videocentric avatar.  


Below are some Chatbots shared by Shelly Terrell:  

BELL- A female chatbot that responds to messages typed in by children and adults.     

ESLFast- Students can speak with Tutor Mike, a male bot, or the female shopping bot. There are many dialogue examples on the right side of the website. English language learners can listen and read the various dialogues for various situations.   

Elbot- This is a robot that chats with students. Click on the red button on his stomach to chat with him.

 Shelly Terrell, Teacher Reboot Camp, June 2010  

Language Learning

Whether teaching students how another language, or working with ESL students, there are tons of great language learning resources:
Live Mocha is an excellent language learning website.  Work your way through a course at whatever rate works for you.  Written and spoken words combined with images make learning a language easy.  In addition, submit typed assignments or audio recordings to be marked by native speakers.  Help others learn by providing feedback to submissions that are in your home language.  Also, connect with people who speak the language you are trying to learn and help them learn your language.  Whether learning German, Spanish, or French, Livemocha is the place to go.

Babbel- features a variety of exercises to help you learn a language, access it as an app for your iPhone or iPod touch, and download a vocabulary trainer.

Busuu- at busuu you will find language courses, grammar guides, and the opportunity to interact with other users.

My Happy Planet- another language learning site where you can practice with people from around the world.

LingQ- features both free and premium options.  Download onto your ipod, get help from a tutor, connect with other users, join conversations and more.

Free Language this site provides links to lessons, podcasts, courses, audio, video, articles, and more.  The best part is its free!

Mango- develop conversational skills in any of the 12 different language featured on this site.

italki- connect with others to learn a new language.