Instead of being a nuisance or interruption, our students’ cell phones and other mobile devices can bring the community and the world into the adult education classroom. At our workshop at the TESOL 2012 Convention in Philadelphia, participants engaged in activities and developed ideas to help students learn English as well as functional cell phone skills.

We began with an informational scavenger hunt about Philadelphia. Listening to voice recordings, participants used their cell phones to gather information about the city, such as how much it costs to see the Liberty Bell and what buses go to the Convention Center. Informational scavenger hunts are good ways for students to use cell phones to develop listening skills while learning about their new environment.

Next, participants worked in groups to brainstorm ideas for using basic cell phones and smartphones. Two basic phone ideas were using speakerphones to listen to commonly called messages and practicing relaying messages by playing a cell phone version of the game Gossip. Some useful apps for smartphones mentioned were Story Kit, Skype, and Google Voice.

Taking close-up photos, another activity presented, is a fun game in which students use their cell phone cameras to take a close-up picture of an object and then a picture of the full object. After taking the photos, students share them with other students to see if they can guess what the close-up picture is. Students can share the photos with classmates or with students from a lower level class. This game helps develop vocabulary and encourages interaction among students.

Other topics covered in the workshop included texting and using various educational apps, such as Google Translation, Dictionary.com, and Flashcard Study. Over 50 participants from many different countries contributed their ideas and enthusiasm to make this a highly interactive workshop.

Dorothy Taylor is an associate professor at the Educational Opportunity Center, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, where she teaches ESL to adult refugee and immigrant students. Her areas of interest include technology and literacy.

Doreen Regan is the ESL coordinator for Buffalo Public Schools Adult Education Division in Buffalo, New York. Along with a master’s in TESOL, she has over 20 years experience teaching English as a second language, having instructed every level from preliterate beginner classes to advanced college preparation courses. She has extensive experience in both K-12 and adult education throughout the Buffalo, Chicago, and Pittsburgh areas. Although no longer in the classroom, Doreen continues to be very involved with the teachers and students in her program through mentoring, writing curricula, and providing professional development to her staff.