Internet Relay Chat
If you recall, in Objective #1, IRC was presented as a way to engage in synchronous "conversation" with people who join a common channel on the Internet. To participate in IRC, you need client software that is compatible with your system. There are several IRC software programs available on the Internet. Your first assignment is to download the client software necessary to participate in an IRC session.
A popular program for the Macintosh platform is IRCle, a shareware program
that you can download
here. You can also get much useful information about using IRCle and
IRC in general by accessing the official
IRCle homepage.
If you work
on the pc platform, you might want to try mIRC, which is also shareware. You can
download a
copy of mIRC
and its FAQ from several sites around the USA and the world.
Once you have obtained the IRC software, follow the instructions to install it on your computer, and then proceed to Part Two.
Now you are ready to try out IRC. In the documentation that came with your IRC client software, you will find information on how to participate in IRC and what commands are basic to IRC operations. Take some time to familiarize yourself with this information; it might be wise to print out the commands and directions for your first foray into the IRC world. Then launch your IRC client, pick a nickname, find a friendly server, and look at a list of the channels available.
CAREFUL! ¡OJO! MÉFIEZ-VOUS! VORISICHT! STATE ATTENTI!
Hundreds of channels exist, and many of them are NOT nice. Generally their titles are fairly descriptive so you can avoid places where you wouldn't want your mother to catch you.
Try to find channels on foreign servers where people are conversing in your particular target language (TL) To see what some sample IRC screens might look like, click here.
Spend about 15 minutes on a TL channel of IRC to get a sense of how people "talk" using this application. You can capture a log of the conversation by using the command
/CHANNELLOG [file name]
where [file name] is the name you wish to give to the file so you can access it later. Be sure you know where it will be saved also!
Example: /CHANNELLOG IRC1.doc
At the end of the session, or whenever you wish to stop the log, simply type:
/CHANNELLOG OFF
You will have a complete record or log of the IRC conversation, which you can then print out and turn in as completion of the assignment for Part Two. While you are participating in IRC, think about how you might be able to use this in your foreign language classroom. Do you see any possible way to integrate this communication technology into your FL curriculum? Make a list of ideas on including IRC in the FL classroom and turn them in with your IRC log.
Part Three is specifically for foreign language methods instructors. It contains a suggestion for using IRC in your methods class to demonstrate one possible use of this communications technology in the foreign language classroom to your students.