Communicating Virtually: the Case of Blogging in Professional Environments

The literacy demands of work are changing in the face of current global communication networks.This paper focuses on the methodology adopted in a university degree to practise workplace interaction in English, the lingua franca in professional settings.In the present study, the authors have observed the effect of the incorporation of computer-mediated communication combined with simulation-type methodology to improve students' workplace writing and motivation.Students worked in groups and "blogged" pseudo-professionally with other groups.The analysis of the results shows high motivation on the part of the students.The "writing for a purpose" has permitted more and better language, which indicates that blogs are a potential tool for the development of linguistic skills.