This week, I am going to introduce a fun and useful tech tool to you. It is Zimmer Twins. This website was established in 2005 in Canada, and it is mainly devoted to increasing kids' innovative thinking, and letting them share in a fun way.
The main feature on this website is that users can make their own animated movies. A lot of clips including bubbles, actions, emotions and scenario signs are available and easy to use. Click on one of them, type the dialogue in, and a scene is complete, no harder than that.
This website is an interesting and most importantly a motivating way for students to practice English in class. It can be either an individual or a group work. Students are going to actually use their imagination and knowledge of a language to create something meaningful and shareable. Through group work, students can even negotiate for meaning to design a dialogue, which is said to be one of the essential parts of second language acquisition. What's more, teachers can facilitate the learning by encouraging students to act their movies out, and by doing so, the dialogues become authentic use of the target language. The value added to the activity is that it will be amusing!
If teachers/students think they have made an excellent movie, there is a gallery section where users can upload their work. Some great movies are also useful for educational purpose, which offers a different sources of material to teachers.
All in all, I find Zimmer Twins very user-friendly and interesting. In terms of teaching, it is definitely a good source to motivate students and inspire their creativity. I would use this website myself for in-class practice in the future. If you are also looking something unconventional but handleable, try Zimmer Twins!
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