How can the standard-features word-processing programs be exploited for teaching writing skills?

Standard-features word-processing programs could be used in many ways for teaching writing skills, for example, learners could do homework assignments on Microsoft Word such as: letters, journals, essays, and so forth.

Long ago, students had to use paper to perform all the presentations in the classroom; nowadays, they can perform their presentations through Microsoft Power Point, and it is better than the traditional way of performing a presentation because they can choose the best patterns and set them creatively.

Teachers could also work on a virtual group ( as we are working now ), and to perform differents activities with learners on line, in order to use the computer a lot. For instance, students could write blogs about different topics, and the teacher to comment what is right or what is wrong.

In my opinion, technologies should play a peripheral role in second language teaching and learning because if teachers only focus the teaching process on multi-media resources, students would forget about using phisical materials such as: boards, markers, copybooks, handouts, and so on.
Students also would forget about writing on phisical materials. I think that computers have to be used in the teaching-learning process, but they must not take the control of all the process.
I would like that both technologies and the traditional way ( phisical resources ) are used in second language teaching and learning.  

What do you think is the role of research in improving our understanding of teaching?

The role of research is to enable teachers so that they can develop essential skills in learners and improve classroom practices. When teachers research the approaches, methods, techniques and strategies of teaching and they learn how to apply them when performing a class, I think that is when the  teaching process becomes worthwhile. If teachers are not concerned about research, that means they only want to apply what another person said or thought, and in my opinion it is wrong because teachers not only have to apply what a resource says but also research more and more until they realize if  the information is effective and worthwhile. Some teachers don’t even know what teaching is, and they only base their lessons on a text book; it is really boring because learners need more than that. Learners need teachers who are able to encourage them to learning that is why teachers have to use the best ways to teach. 

What experience do you have of learning a second or foreign language? How would you characterize the teacher’s teaching method? How effective did you find it?

I remember that since I began studying English at the Junior High School, each teacher has taught English on their own, that is, every teacher has shown her/his own style  to teach. I think that most teachers just take elements, such as techniques and strategies, from some teaching methods when they perform or give a class. For example, when I began studying in the University of El Salvador, I realized that the teacher always used CLL method, because he fostered a community learning where all learners learned to interact one another and break all phychological barriers up. I could also say I have met teachers that it seems to me that they use the Direct Method, because in their English classes no translation is allowed and students are required to develop oral, writing, listening and speaking skills with the help of the teacher that is their guide. As said before, I think that all teachers mingle  differents ideas that they pick up from the methods. In my opinion it doesn´t matter if teachers mingle those ideas and techniques as long as they foster effective learning  acivities  and they also make sure that students have reached the learning goals.