Improve your English with a personal Bitmoji Avatar

Here I am again, telling you to close those textbooks! Pause that English lecture! Step outside the normal way that you have been learning! Here I am again, telling you to learn outside the box with me, and outside what you’ve been doing. In case you’re new around here, and haven’t had a chance to browse my Instagram or past blog posts, you’ll quickly learn that I am consistently looking for outside the box, non-traditional ways to help my students, readers, and fellow English lovers review, practice, and improve their language skills. I strive (try very hard) to provide content that illustrates real English in use. When I say real English, I mean situations that you can relate to and content you can personalize, not an outdated textbook story/situation where John and Sally finally get a smart phone that can send picture texts. Yes, I’ve worked in a place that provided this type of (irrelevant) material for teachers to use in the classroom.

While the students may get a slight benefit from that, perhaps reading comprehension, it most likely won’t resonate (have meaning or importance) with a learner to take their English to the next level. What does resonate and connect with a learner is something that they can personalize to themselves, and an example that has meaning is more likely to be remembered and used in later English use. This is the point, right? Learn vocabulary, grammar concepts, etc.. and apply them to language use.

Photo Oct 27, 4 27 15 PM

 

So what is more personal and relatable than your very own Avatar?!

 

Bitmojis? Avatars? If you don’t know what I am talking about then we will need to get you up to speed (get you the latest information and knowledge needed to continue). Open up a new tab on your Internet browser and type: www.bitmoji.com.
Are you recognizing these cartoon-like avatars? Have you seen them around the Internet, Instagram or in your Whatsapp groups? If not, that’s all about to change! It’s time to join the millions of users, including celebrities, because not only are these cartoons and comic strips fun to create and hilarious to share, they can be a truly authentic learning experience. So download yours now, because I am here today to share with you, 7 things in English that your Avatar will teach you and ways to learn on your own.

Please note, this is not a paid advertising or affiliate post. I am speaking with 100% authenticity because I believe it will help your language skills.

Bitmojis will teach you…

# 1: Idioms & Expressions

Remember this post with an idiom definition + example?

Or this one from a couple of months ago….

 

Well, the learning doesn’t stop there. Review the following Bitmojis, and click the image for their definition and meaning. All images come from my personal Bitmoji keyboard. Get yours today!

Teachers, see below to find out the ways to utilize this post (or YOUR own Bitmoji) in the classroom!

 

you’ll also learn…

 

# 2: “Texting” Language [shortened English]

Click on the image for the definition & meaning

 

 

#3: New Vocabulary

Click on the image for the definition & meaning

 

#4: Morning, Evening, and Common Greetings & Salutations

Click on the image for the definition & meaning

 

and..

#5: Onomatopoeia 

Not sure what this is? It’s the creation of a word for a natural sound. Read more and take a quick look and click here.

Click on the image for the definition & meaning

#6: Terms of Endearment 

These are sweet names that you call someone you love. I don’t think explanations or definitions are needed. ♥♥♥

and…

#7: Expressions we stole from French

Yup, we’re guilty!

Click on the image for the definition & meaning

So how can you continue to learn on your own with Bitmojis?

Well now that you have downloaded the app and installed it on your keyboard/Facebook, and have learned the meaning of over 55 bitmojis- you are ready to rock! The great news for you is that the app is continuously adding new themes, cartoons, and expressions, which means there is always something to learn! Browse through the various categories in the app and search for new words or expressions that are unknown to you. Then, get to google! You can either go straight to a dictionary, I like Merriam-Webster’s Learners, or you can simply write: “define: ____(word or expression)” The Google search will definitely help you find more slang-type expressions. So what are you waiting for? Start creating your avatar and connecting to your personal, new English teacher…you! Please share the new expressions and vocabulary words you learn along the way, and share your social media posts with me – @jenesl760. As you (may or may not) know, I love Instagram so find, follow, and tag me in your new Avatar experiences #bitmojilearning, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Happy Studying! ♥

. . . . .

Teachers:

If one thing is for sure, it’s that students love their cell phones (especially in class). Rather than fighting with them to put the phones away, create a lesson that allows their use! This would be a great place to start.

  1. Begin with a homework assignment: download the app and find a new expression to “teach” the class.
  2. In class, break the students into groups who have the same or similar expressions and review the meanings together.
  3. Mix up the groups! Switch students, and have them meet with others and share their expressions with these new groups (the same/similar avatar expressions will now be in different groups).
  4. Have each group choose “the best” (most interesting, creative, funny, etc..)avatar and expression and have the students present these expressions to the class to work on a more difficult speaking element: public speaking

Another idea would be for them to learn these expressions in a “race” style activity. (*Note, it would be best for the students to already have downloaded the app on their phone)

  1. Divide the class into equal groups
  2. Either on the board, or on a print out you made before class, give them expressions to find. For example, “Find the avatar that means to wish someone luck” (break a leg), or “which avatar would you send to someone you had a crush on?” (swoon).
  3. Students can either “race” to finish filling our their papers first, or once they find the correct avatar can raise their hands and then “teach” it to the class.

I hope you and your class enjoy! If you used any of these activities, or created your own variation, I would love to hear it!

Happy teaching! ♥ 

I had so much fun writing this blog post that I’ll be sure to write some more. Stay tuned for related articles, more Avatar learning, and ways to improve your English outside of the classroom (on in it for teachers)!

Please share this post with a friend, teacher, colleague, or someone you know who studies/loves/teaches English. Millions of people are already using Bitmojis, so I want to make sure millions of people can learn with them 🙂

xoxo, Jennifer

P.S…

Click here to get more English help! Receive a free e-book to improve your fluency.

Click here to get more English help! Receive a free e-book to improve your fluency.

1 Comment

  1. […] this post is going to be different because it will hopefully be a new way to learn (unless you read this post about learning with your Avatar), and an exciting way to improve your […]

Leave a Comment