Convincing Joe Public that Twitter is more than a frivolous tool for keeping abreast of the daily routine of your favourite celebrity can be a challenge, but it is a challenge worth taking as the rewards can be transformational for your continuing professional development and classroom practice.
Some language teachers have been using Twitter since 2007, collaborating with like-minded colleagues from all over the world, forging powerful cross-curricular links and being regularly engaged and supported by the inspirational people they are following. Many have followed suit, developing their own personal learning networks along the way and more are signing up all the time to find out what all the fuss is about.
To help colleagues interested in joining the Twitterverse, I have used the free service TweepML to create a list of MFL professionals who can be easily followed by ticking a box next to their profile picture. Take a moment to peruse the list. I'm sure you'll see many familiar faces if you are already a fan of online communities although you'll also see lots of new people too!
The "MFL Twitterati" as they are commonly known by the language teachers who interact with Twitter on a daily basis are over one hundred strong now and growing all the time. I have also recently created another list using Twitter itself with the same usernames which allows you to get a flavour of the sorts of messages MFL colleagues are sending each other at the moment.
Please note that only unprotected tweets are being displayed. To see other messages you would first need request permission from the person you wanted to follow, have it granted and then login to your own account.
If you would like to add the widget displayed at the right of my blog, go to this link, put in joedale for Username, click find lists and select MFL Twitterers under List Name. You can then customise the Preferences, Appearance and Dimensions on the left hand side and generate the embed code you will need to put it on your blog.
I suggest you use a free tool like Twhirl, TweetDeck or Seesmic Desktop which will help you organise your tweets and keep on top of replies, direct messages and any lists you may have created.
If you still need persuading about the value of joining Twitter have a look at this great clip by Chris Betcher which makes the important point that you need to make sure you are following enough people to make the experience worthwhile.
I hope this post encourages you to dip your toes into the Twitterverse if you haven't done already and discover what an incredibly collaborative environment it is. It will be well worth your time and effort and you'll wonder what you ever did without it once you get going, honest ;)
Come on! Join the conversation!
I only joined Twitter 3 months ago and although I don’t tweet a lot I already rely heavily on my fellow MFL Twitterati to keep me informed, to make me reflect, to give me motivation, to trigger inspiration, to make me laugh, to keep me very busy really... and I only follow about 20 people properly!
Posted by: Nati Lopez | 08/04/2010 at 20:37
And I'm relying on Twitter - and the MFL Twitterati to spread the word that my blog ¡Vámonos! has moved to http://lisibo.co.uk
;o)
Lisa xx
aka @lisibo
Posted by: Lisa | 08/04/2010 at 22:08
I joined Twitter in the summer of 08 and didn't really get it, until I went to the Isle of Wight conference, met 2 of the people I followed plus a whole lot more, and since then, it has honestly transformed my teaching life. I find the ideas and links fantastic, the support and advice invaluable and the humour an essential part of my evening! These people are no longer names on a page, I consider them friends and I would not be where I am without them.
Posted by: Amanda Salt | 08/04/2010 at 22:22
This is really useful -and surprising Joe :) I thought I knew lots of the "MFL Twitterati" but there are many more on your list that I can now follow and benefit from their varied expertise - thanks!
Posted by: Mary Cooch | 08/04/2010 at 22:27
I have been on twitter now for well over a year and it is a phenomenal place - cpd, virtual support, and the best bit is when we actually meet up in real life!
Posted by: Spanishsam | 08/04/2010 at 22:57
I started on Twitter on 13th February 2008-just over 2 years ago-and this is the best thing I have ever done for my career (and professional sanity!)Twitter is the best mfl staffroom in the world with positive encouraging inspiring teachers willing to share and help. Joining Twitter is a great way to ensure all languages teachers are not isolated at a time when most languages departments are shrinking. Do join the conversation!!
Posted by: Isabelle Jones | 08/04/2010 at 23:10
Thank you everyone for your comments. It's brilliant to see such wonderful reflections.
In this context, Twitter really is like an awesome MFL staffroom where everyone is willing to share so many of their ideas and so much of their time to support one another 24/7. Incredible!
Posted by: Joe Dale | 08/04/2010 at 23:39
Like Amanda, joined Twitter then didn't use for months. Got poked out of my shell with a sharp stick by @wizenedcrone and wd recommend to anyone who wants a supportive network, lots of ideas and really international perspectives
Barbara Harper
Posted by: Bibitybob | 08/04/2010 at 23:57
Any reason why you've made this a UK list? :) Maybe we should make a world-wide one as well!
Posted by: Penny Coutas | 09/04/2010 at 01:08
I joined Twitter on Christmas Eve in 2007! It's really been worth it and has changed my teaching life. Like Amanda many of my fellow Twitters are now friends and I couldn't do without them.
Helena
Posted by: Helena Butterfield | 09/04/2010 at 08:15
I joined the Twitterati a couple of weeks ago. The help and support of MFL colleagues has transformed my life. So many doors of opportunity and interest have opened - don't know how I ever managed beforehand!
Posted by: Annalise Adam | 09/04/2010 at 08:33
I joined Twitter in April 2009 and have made the most amazing language teacher contacts from all over the world. I have been able to collaborate with other German teachers/classes which is super-motivating for me and my students.
Being able to follow conferences that are taking place world-wide through people's tweets is also fantastic.
P.s. I second Penny's suggestion about the world-wide language teachers list :)
Posted by: Belinda Flint | 09/04/2010 at 09:50
I find Twitter to be one of the main source of advice. Recently spoke to people about ideas for an interview and it's great for checking if people have tried out sites/resources and their feedback on them. Love it!
Nicola
@Nic_82
Posted by: Nicola | 09/04/2010 at 10:02
Thank you all for your lovely comments.
Just to clarify, I've made a UK only list to encourage British teachers in particular to get into Twitter and to make it a more manageable and less time-consuming task.
There's no reason why we can't make another list of language teachers from other countries. That would be awesome.
Volunteers?
Posted by: Joe Dale | 09/04/2010 at 13:22
Hi Joe
I have been toying for ages with the idea of putting together a worldwide list for language teachers. A UK list like yours is obviously open for anybody to follow but our World Languages colleagues will know that we may be talking about UK exam boards and National Curriculum issues. I subscribe to a wide range of languages blogs, lists & NINGs and I have learnt so much from it but it is useful to have "local" lists as well for the specifics. Need to work on that list now... Bear with me!!
Isabelle
http://isabellejones.blogspot.com
Posted by: Isabelle Jones | 09/04/2010 at 14:14
Hi Isabelle,
That's great news! Feel free to use my wiki if it helps!
Posted by: Joe Dale | 09/04/2010 at 14:29
I joined Twitter in June 2008. To start with, I did not see what I could do with it. It has helped me to communicate with teachers from all over the world, compare ideas etc. It has helped me meet inspirational people and therefore has provided me with new ideas to develop my teaching.
Posted by: Marie-France Perkins | 27/04/2010 at 20:40
Thanks for your comment Marie-France. Twitter is such as a great collaborative tool, isn't it!
Posted by: Joe Dale | 28/04/2010 at 09:06
That's a great list, I'll keep an eye on it - I'm not an MFL teacher, but a lot of the kind of stuff that is there can easily be adapted for ESOL.
As for Twitter - I've found that it's re-awakened my interest in loads of things... just can be a little TOO addictive
Posted by: Phil Bird | 06/06/2010 at 07:56
Thanks for your comment Phil. I agree there are many parallels between the MFL and ESOL community and we should continue sharing in the way we have been for years already.
Lists help people to get started, and like anything you get out of Twitter what you put in
You have to moderate your own use of course and not check updates obsessively.You also need to be smart with your time by using a desktop client such as TweetDeck to help you be more organised and filter good content from noise.
Thanks for dropping by and see you on Twitter!
Posted by: Joe Dale | 06/06/2010 at 12:37