Through the use of a satellite dish and a television, students can view and hear native language programs from all over the world. This Digest discusses the many possibilities available to foreign language educators for enhancing instruction through telecommunication technology. Sample telecommunications programs, organizations, and services for foreign language and bilingual teachers and students are mentioned below with addresses and resources provided at the end of the Digest. English as a second language, and foreign language students. The goal of the project is to increase students' proficiency in one or two languages through written communication with a class in another country, and to improve their understanding of another culture.
Languages currently included in the network are English, French, and Spanish.
Users with similar interests can join a forum that enables them to receive or contribute information in their specific fields. CompuServe, like other commercial networks, provides access to electronic mail, bulletin boards, data libraries, and online conferences. Regardless of the system a party uses to send or receive messages, anyone with E-Mail can communicate with anyone else that has an electronic mail address. For example, a teacher planning to take a group of students abroad can ask for general information on the bulletin board and get answers back from anyone else who happens to read the message. Articles can then be printed out or downloaded on diskette or a hard disk.