Internet Premodule

LESSON 1 Introduction to the Internet

Materials Needed:          

  • Flip chart/newsprint paper or large board and markers; Computers with Internet access
  • Handout 1, 2
  • Text: Internet English:  WWW-based communication activities, by Christina Gitsaki and Richard Taylor, Oxford University Press (2000).

Website: www.eslcafe.com

Word Bank:

Internet, World Wide Web, Web site, Web page, browser, navigation bar, browser keys, URL, e-mail, cursor, highlight, click, select, scroll, scroll bar, link, pull-down menu, load, hourglass, title, ad, navigate, surf, back, forward, go, home, location bar, search engine

Introductory Activity:  What do you Know?

  • Today we're going to learn how to use the Internet. Even if you have already used the Internet, you can still benefit from this lesson because you can learn technical terms and concepts related to the Internet.
  • Let's see what you know about the Internet already.

Give all students a copy of Handout 1:  Internet Survey.

  • Take a few minutes t o ask your classmates the questions on the handout. Everyone should get up, walk around, and survey the others in the room. Answers should only be "yes" or "no." Be honest; don’t worry if you don't know any of the questions asked on the survey.

At the end of the activity, debrief and ask how many learners knew each piece of information surveyed. This will give you a quick idea of students' levels of familiarity with the Internet. Likewise, if several learners respond affirmatively to a category on the survey, ask for volunteers to explain the concept involved to the rest of the group (e.g., ask if anyone can tell the group what a URL is).

Activity 1: Frequently Asked Questions

  • Let's take a look at some questions people frequently ask about the Internet. With a partner, discuss these questions:
  • What is the Internet?
  • What is the World Wide Web?
  • What can I use the Web for?
  • Next, look at p. 7 in the Internet English textbook. Read the answers to the  questions.
  • Did anything surprise you about these answers? If yes, what surprised you?

Activity 2:  Web Vocabulary

  • What do you think the following words mean? In a small group, discuss each word and what you think it means.

Write the words on the board as you introduce them.  Have students copy them down.

  • Web browser
  • link
  • URL
  • Web page
  • surf the Web
  • e-mail
  • online
  • login
  • When you have finished trying to define the vocabulary words, correct your answers by looking at the inside of the cover of the Internet English textbook.

 Activity 3: More Basic Practice:  Dave’s ESL Café.

  • To get more practice with the Internet and its vocabulary, we will visit a popular ESL website.
  • Let’s look together at Handout 2 and follow the instructions. 

Distribute Handout 2.  Have the class read it together first.  They can answer questions aloud.  Some questions have space for them to write their answers so they can keep the information for the future.

Notes This Handout is written as a whole group activity.  However, if your class generally appears to be more independent with computers, you might want to have learners work in small groups, rather than a whole group.  To be sure everyone is following, place students in groups rather than having them form groups themselves; this will allow you to place at least one learner in each group who has familiarity with the Internet and can act as a guide for group members with less computer proficiency.

Writing Expansion

  • Now that you have used the Internet, what do you think about it? Did anything surprise you? How did you feel when you were using it?  Write a paragraph about your opinion of the Internet so far.
Notes At the end of this lesson, you may want to include some discussion concerning the hazards of using the Internet, such as viruses and privacy issues.


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