Ian James1. What do you do?

I teach (at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona), train (anywhere) and blog (at tefltecher).

2. Why do you do it?

Not sure. Like David Byrne, I sometimes ask myself, “Well, how did I get here?”.

3. What’s the most interesting thing happening in ELT right now?

Mobile learning.  I tend to be more interested in the in-built functionalities of mobile devices (camera, video, voice recorder, GPS etc) than the downloadable apps.

4. What do you think the developments in EdTech mean for learners of English?

More opportunities to read, listen/watch, speak and write, both in and out of the classroom. Requires them managing abundance – yes, yet another bl**dy “literacy”!

5. What do you think the developments in EdTech mean for teachers?

Training, less reliance on books, more strings to their bow + lots of questions: Do I really need another string to hit the target? If so, which? How + when do I use it? etc

6. What does EdTech mean for publishers?

A dilemma: Do I go for a paddle or dive straight in? … Either way it’s a case of “Ouch! My paradigm has just shifted!”.

7. Gamification: a fad or the future?

Bit faddish at the mo. In the future, just another option. Not terribly convinced play is most efficient way to learn a language. Let’s face it, it’s not always fun.

8. How will mobile learning transform ELT?

Help bring the “real world” (whatever that is) into the classroom, and take the classroom out into the “real world” … all with something that fits inside your pocket.

9. What next for online learning?

Non-linear, blended, on-going MOOCs which adapt to the learner and don’t just involve watching a load of video lectures. OK, not MOOCs then. Something else.

10. How will ELT be different 5 years from now?

If we’re not careful, English Grammar in Use projected on the inside of your glasses. If we are, greater seamlessness between the “real world” and the classroom.

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