Sign in, Sign up. The challenges of email in an ESL class

Last week, i spent one session working with Chris at Reservoir Neighbourhood House, in her "very beginner" English as a second language (ESL) class. One of the English students was having a terrible time trying to sign up for a gmail account. They had tried to connect week after week, and kept getting some kind of "verification code" message.

Fortunately we managed to resolve that issue, and she could sign in for the first time. First task was to send Chris a message. After that, send a message to one of her classmates.

I was so impressed by Chris' patience as the student struggled with the basics of navigating the screen and its functions. Not even a glimmer of impatience or irritation. 

So what does this group need to learn next in the world of email and computers?

• Send an attachment (for example send a narrative or recount to Chris via email).
• Work with folders on the student network drive.
• Work with documents and formatting.

Language issues

How do you explain this with your students?

• The difference between "Sign IN" and "Sign UP".
• Login is the same as "Sign in", but we don't say "Log Up" do we?

Photo by [auro] (creative commons at flickr: cc-by-nd). Thanks.