Online+resources+and+tools

[|Mindmaps]
Anna has found this mindmap generating tool which looks very easy to use and could be of interest for collaborative brainstorming activities, for example. Many thanks Anna!

[|Guardian Languages]
The Guardian has launched a website which you may find of interest. It offers so called "English Out There" lesson plans for both teachers and individuals. The blurb for the site runs as follows:

"All of the lesson plans lead up to a focused conversation that requires the learner to use the language in the plan with someone who is a highly skilled (fluent or native) speaker of the language.

Individuals and classes based in English speaking countries can get their real practice by going out into the real world and speaking to people face to face.Those based in non English speaking countries can download and use our own VoIP software for free (like Skype) which is specially set up for language practice and learning. Learners can record all of their practice calls and listen to them again on their PC, ipod or MP3 player."

[|Speaking Avatars]
This is a sample of what can be produced with the web-based application Gillian mentions below.

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If you have any great ideas how this can be used with our students, please add your comments using the "discussion" tab above.

[|Doodle]
This is another totally web-based tool that requires no downloading or installation of programs. It enables you, rather like the meeting planner in Microsoft's Outlook, to arrange meetings. It works by allowing you to very simply set up a meeting convenor as a "poll" with a number of dates. A unique URL is then sent to the people who you would like to attend the meeting. In turn they then go to that web page (URL) and indicate their availability. Finally, the tool shows you which date suits everyone best. Shall we meet?

[|Macmillan Business English Online: In Company]
Free online resources designed to supplement the Macmillan course books **//In Company//**

[|Macmillan Business English Online: The Business]
Free online resources designed to supplement the Macmillan course books **//The Business//**. This includes a podcast, but has fewer resources than the In Company equivalent.

[|BESIG - The Business English Special Interest Group]
This organisation bills itself as "a truly professional body representing the interests and serving the needs of the international business English teaching community." However, the reason I've added a link here is primarily because of the extensive list of useful links on all manner of business English related topics that you can find on its website - well worth checking.

[|Longman Business]
Here you'll find ready made activities based on links to business websites (e.g. Olivetti, WH Smith, etc). If you haven't used authentic online material before this might be a good point of reference.

__Beginners' Guide to the Stock Market__
This is the YouTube homepage of Michelle Price, a bright and lively young stockbroker with a talent for explaining how to trade in stocks. She has a neat line in simple analogies - eg. choosing a stock is like choosing a husband. I learned a lot here (about stocks not husbands). There are six 7-8 min episodes so far, but, as it builds up, I think it will be a real resource for BE teachers working in this area. Michelle calls herself the Stock market geek, but that's the last thing she is. Go to:

http://www.youtube.com/user/micprice

and select individual episodes from there. Alternatively you can download the clips onto your hard drive here:

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 * Mark (16/08/07)**

This is another Youtube home page for Saving and Investing - In all there are 32 videos on subjects like Mutual Funds, Hedge Funds etc

http://fr.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=savingandinvesting&p=r

I'm still looking for suitable video clips on insurance and came across this site :

http://www.mortgagespeakersbureau.com/index.html

Mortgage speakers bureau is an agency for speakers - you need a speaker for a conference on a specific subject and they have the right person on their books. It might be a little complicated to find suitable videos using this link (you don't know what they're about when you click on the person). However they are all on youtube as well.

And here's another link on real estate : http://www.youtube.com/user/bmcnee2429


 * Gillian (28/08/07)**

Sometime ago somebody sent me the following link to a webpage for whisky. There is a fun training video on it (rather long) but might be useful for some ss really interested in whisky.

http://www.monkeyshoulder.com/

While I was looking at the above site I noticed that they had won an award and gave the following website :

http://webbyawards.com/

This is a fantastic resource website of ads and other marketing techniques that have won awards.

On the above site (if you are still following!!) this website caught my eye :

http://sitepal.com

You can use it to create speaking avatars!! I haven't explored all of its potential but it might be possible to use for teaching. I'll keep you posted if I use it for my engineering students - we're looking at ideas this weekend. You have to pay for the service but there is a 15-day free trial. Tip - use the above link but it'll convert to your home language - click on English at the bottom of the page to revert to English.


 * Gillian (05/10/07)

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