Do students ever log OFF of Facebook? With this revelation in mind, I've collaborated with colleagues and students to grow our department Facebook page, ESL New Paltz. It has become an active online community for our students, alumni, friends and faculty.
The best way to generate activity is to have it student-centered. Here are some ways to keep your page fresh and exciting to attract responses by students.
Surveys (use the Question tab to ask a question and add options):
Where are you going for Spring Break?
NYC
Boston
Florida
Canada
Main Street, New Paltz
How do you best learn English?
Memorize vocabulary
Watch movies/t.v.
Read... anything!
Write (essays, journal)
Hang out with Americans (native speakers)
Which ESL subject do you like the best? (the courses that our program offers)
Grammar
TOEFL Prep.
Reading & Writing
Listening & Speaking
Special Topics
Are you going to join a club this semester?
Yes
No
Maybe
Open-ended Questions:
What's your favorite book? (this one got tons of responses)
What's your favorite song at the moment?
If you could change ONE thing about SUNY New Paltz, what would it be?
What's the funniest commercial you've seen on YouTube? Post it here (and keep it clean)!
What's your favorite restaurant in New Paltz?
Name That ______!
(this one is accompanied by an image and not so "student-centered" but it gets them excited nonetheless!)
Movie
Actress/Actor
T.V. Series
Logo
YouTube star
______ vs. ______?
The concept: choose the one you like best (not so "student-centered" but popular)
Lady Gaga vs. Katy Perry
Tokyo Sushi vs. Kyoto Sushi (local restaurants)
Rebecca Black vs. Justin Beiber
Yao Ming vs. Jeremy Lin
Some of them get a little wacky, but that is what keeps our students checking in daily. They're learning American culture, sharing ideas, exchanging knowledge and having fun at it! An active Facebook page like this is just another way to supplement the holistic experience of learning a foreign language.
Enjoy!
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