Learn about an activity using podcasts to model narrative writing techniques in this article.

In this article, the author describes a study on the use of a self-designed ESL online curriculum to cultivate self-authoring.

This webinar, "To Correct or Not Correct? Ideas for Subtle Correction During Speaking Tasks," presents techniques designed to correct students’ grammar without interrupting the free flow of speech or the lesson. These techniques work with all levels and in a variety of settings. Participants will have an opportunity to consider when these techniques would be effective versus when other forms of traditional correction may be more helpful. The techniques presented can be added to teaching practices immediately, and teachers may realize they’ve already been using some of them.

Intermediate to Advanced

Reading, speaking (primary focus); writing (secondary focus)         

During this activity students will

• Practice using gerunds and infinitives within the context of a reading activity
• Practice speaking skills by discussing the world of video games

• Teacher: whiteboard or chalkboard, markers or chalk, a timing device
• Students: pencils or pens, notebooks or writing paper, recording devices (optional)

1. Read through all the materials carefully.
2. Print out enough copies of the “Professional Gamer” reading in Appendix 1 for each student in the class.
3. Read over the “Professional Gamer” Answer Key in Appendix 2 before class. Check the reading for vocabulary that may be unfamiliar to students.

1.     Begin this activity by asking the students if they play video games.

a.     Ask them what kinds of video games they play and what they enjoy about video games.

2.     Next, on the board write the word E-Sports. Ask the students if anyone knows what this word means. If any of the students knows the term, have them explain what e-sports means to the class.

a.     Note: E-Sports is defined as a multiplayer video game played competitively by professional gamers and watched by fans.

3.     Inform the students that today the class will learn about video games and e-sports through a reading activity.

4.     Distribute a copy of the reading activity in Appendix 1 to each student in class.

5.     Have the students skim the reading for any unfamiliar vocabulary terms, and provide them time to ask about any new vocabulary words.

6.     Next, have the students read the paragraphs. For each paragraph, students should decide if a gerund or an infinitive is the correct form of the verb.

7.     Give the students time to complete the reading and to fill in the gerund and infinitive blanks.

8.     Once the students are finished, have them form pairs or small groups and review their answers together. If a pair has different answers for a blank, encourage them to discuss and decide which answer is the correct one.

a.     Note: For additional reading and speaking practice, have the students read the paragraphs aloud, taking turns at each new paragraph, while they review their answers.

9.     After the pairs have checked their answers, review the answers as an entire class to double-check the answers.

Appendix 1: Professional Gamer

Directions: Read the story below on the life of a professional video game player. Then fill in the blanks with either a gerund or an infinitive form of the verb.

Many young people enjoy ______________ (play) video games. For most players, video games are a fun hobby _______________ (enjoy) with friends. However, some video gamers have made their hobby into a career! Two ways video games are becoming a profession are through competitive sports or by live-streaming video games over the Internet.

Video gaming as a professional sport, or e-sport, is the fastest growing sporting event in the world. Millions of people around the world like _______________ (watch) teams compete in tournaments, with first place prizes in these tournaments as high as $10 million. Due to this popularity, organizers of the Olympics are considering including e-sports in future Olympic games. In the United States, universities have begun _______________ (offer) scholarships to students _______________ (play) video games on a university team, the same as baseball, soccer, or basketball athletes. Competing as a professional video gamer is difficult. The best players in the world need _______________ (practice) up to 50 hours a week, and many players retire, or stop playing, around the age of 25, when they are considered too old to stay competitive.

Other video gamers have turned their hobby into a career as “streamers,” and many former professional gamers switch from competition to streaming video games. A streamer’s job is _______________ (play) video games online and broadcast the gameplay on his or her channel for others _______________ (watch). _______________ (watch) a streamer can be a great way _______________ (learn) about a new game or meet others who enjoy _______________ (play) the same game.

It may seem easy to broadcast yourself ______________ (play) games on the internet, but the life of a streamer can be difficult. Many streamers need _______________ (broadcast) up to eight hours a day _______________ (keep) people _______________ (watch) their channel. To keep people watching, the streamer must play a video game while _______________ (entertain) the audience watching. A streamer earns money through advertisements, so the more people who watch, the more money a streamer can earn from his or her channel.

With hard work and lots of practice, players can turn their love of video games into an exciting career as a professional athlete or as an entertaining streamer.

Appendix 2: Professional Gamer Reading Answer Key

Many young people enjoy playing video games. For most players, video games are a fun hobby to enjoy with friends. However, some video gamers have made their hobby into a career! Two ways video games are becoming a profession are through competitive sport or by live-streaming video games over the Internet.

Video gaming as a professional sport, or e-sports, is the fastest growing sporting event in the world. Millions of people around the world like to watch teams compete in tournaments, with first place prizes in these tournaments as high as $10 million. Due to this popularity, organizers of the Olympics are considering including e-sports in future Olympic games. In the United States, universities have begun to offer scholarships to students to play video games on a university team, the same as baseball, soccer, or basketball athletes. Competing as a professional video gamer is difficult. The best players in the world need to practice up to 50 hours a week, and many players retire, or stop playing, around the age of 25, when they are considered too old to stay competitive.

Other video gamers have turned their hobby into a career as a “streamer,” and many former professional gamers switch from competition to streaming video games. A streamer’s job is to play video games online and broadcast the gameplay on his or her channel for others to watch. Watching a streamer can be a great way to learn about a new game or meet others who enjoy playing the same game.

It may seem easy to broadcast yourself playing games on the internet, but the life of a streamer can be difficult. Many streamers need to broadcast up to eight hours a day to keep people watching their channel. To keep people watching, the streamer must play a video game while entertaining the audience watching. A streamer earns money through advertisements, so the more people who watch, the more money a streamer can earn from his or her channel.

With hard work and lots of practice, players can turn their love of video games into an exciting career as a professional athlete or as an entertaining streamer.