Creative uses of Skype in teaching English to students with cochlear implant for international communication

本研究的目的是通过Skype向人工耳蜗植入(CI)学生教授英语，以达到国际交流的目的。设计了四个阶段，让CI学生1)体验使用Skype学习英语，2)通过Skype发展他们的交流技能。第一阶段的重点是通过Skype为学生准备一个家庭寄宿项目。第二阶段是在悉尼的一次真正的家庭住宿体验。在第三阶段，悉尼的一名日语CI教师通过Skype向一名在日本的CI日本学生教授英语。在第四阶段，CI学生通过Skype与悉尼的一名CI高中生交流。凭借良好的Skype经验和高强度的培训，即使其中一人使用英语作为第二语言，两个CI接受者之间也很有可能进行Skype交谈。互惠和共享共同的主题有助于在Skype谈话中产生自主言论，并导致国际交流的实现。

The objective of this research was to teach English to cochlear implant (CI) students, via Skype, for the purpose of international communication. Four phases were designed in order for CI students to 1) experience using Skype to learn English and 2) develop their communicative skills via Skype. The first phase focused on preparing students for a home stay program via Skype. The second phase was an actual home stay experience in Sydney. In the third phase, a Japanese CI teacher in Sydney taught English via Skype to a CI Japanese student in Japan. In the fourth phase, the CI student communicated via Skype with a CI high school student in Sydney. With good Skype experience and intense training, it is very possible to conduct skype talks between two CI recipients even if one of them uses English as a second language. Reciprocity and sharing common themes helped produce autonomous speech in Skype talks and led to the realization of international communication.