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Language learners use VoiceThread to practice speaking

Description

This is a great example of how an ESL student can practice her computer skills and her language skills to talk about everyday activities. Students can practice speaking as many times as they like before they can show it to their teachers/classmates. This is a rare opportunity for ESL students. Usually, if this activity is done in class with a partner, Jenny, the narrator, can only say what she wants to say once. But on VT she can go back and change her speech as many times as she wants. Also, students learn by listening to their classmates' comments.

Assignment

Initially it takes my students a long time to do a VoiceThread on the computer. But I decided that I would limit myself to just one technology per semester, create activities where students have to use VoiceThread over and over again, and they will get used to the format. And they did. My non-credit ESL students can now comment as well as make their own VoiceThreads to share with the class. I started with this project with an ice breaker, where all the students have to do is comment. Next, we did an activity where we had to use the doodling tool, and then finally everyone got to make their own VoiceThread. It took us most of the semester to learn these three things, but the results were just amazing.

Goals and objectives

My major objective was to get students talking in English, hear each other talk in English on topics I choose, and learn from each other from our shared conversations. Being able to have access to our conversations 24/7 increases my class participation, which gave my students more confidence in their listening and comprehension skills. The big bonus for us was that VoiceThread is fun and they want to do it again and again.

Challenges or setbacks

The easiest part of our project is getting students to comment. Getting students to speak loud enough is a challenge. They were so shy in the beginning. Also, students want to use the phone to call to make comments but couldn't because phone commenting isn't free.

Tools

We added life skills such as using Google Maps to show the trips of how students get from one place to another. I frequently upload documents if I want students to see what I was saying as well listen to me talk. Students wanted to do videos but our internet speed at school is not very fast, so I had to say no to that one.

Tips

Browse around and see what others have done. VT is a fantastic tool for language learning, especially in Adult Ed/Non-Credit program because it focuses more on oral skills rather than writing, which is perfect for non-academic track students. It's also a great assessment tool for oral feedback and assessment. Before VT I never had enough time in class to do oral tests with my students because there just wasn't enough time in class to test everyone. Now there is! And I can listen to their speech at home!

Variations

My students, who are not good writers, have begun to use VT as a social networking forum. They talk about what is happening in their lives and send it to their families and friends all around the world. It's much cheaper than the telephone.

The VoiceThread