Speaking and Listening Speaking and Listening Online and at aOnline and at a DistanceDistance

Claire Pinks Claire Pinks

University of SienaUniversity of Siena

MEDIUMMEDIUM MODEMODE SKILLSKILL

booksbooks texttext readingreading

computerscomputers interactive textinteractive text reading and reading and writingwriting

sound cards, sound cards, speakersspeakers

audioaudio listeninglistening

voice toolsvoice tools

VoIP/audio VoIP/audio recorders/voice recorders/voice boardsboards

interactive audiointeractive audio speaking and speaking and listeninglistening

Listening PracticeListening Practice

• offline - using text book and CDoffline - using text book and CD

• resource-based resource-based onlineonline practicepractice

• podcastspodcasts

PodcastsPodcasts

• usually copyright freeusually copyright free

• small mp3 files → easy to open and savesmall mp3 files → easy to open and save

• can be subscribed to at no cost →can be subscribed to at no cost →

• enormous variety both educational and authenticenormous variety both educational and authentic

Example of anExample of an aggregator or readeraggregator or reader

PodcastsPodcasts

• usually copyright freeusually copyright free

• small mp3 files small mp3 files →→ easy to open and save easy to open and save

• free subscriptionfree subscription

• enormous enormous varietyvariety both both educationaleducational and and authenticauthentic

Uses of PodcastsUses of Podcasts

• tutor selects podcast and prepares tasktutor selects podcast and prepares task

• student selects podcast according to interest and student selects podcast according to interest and reports backreports back

• student selects podcast and prepares task for peersstudent selects podcast and prepares task for peers

• individual/cohort produce their own podcastindividual/cohort produce their own podcast

SpeakingSpeaking

• webtelephonywebtelephony

• instant messaginginstant messaging

• call recorderscall recorders

• audio recordersaudio recorders

• voice boardsvoice boards

““The line is blurring between what used to be two separate utilities, The line is blurring between what used to be two separate utilities,

instant messaging vendors (…) and VoIP providersinstant messaging vendors (…) and VoIP providers”” (Bryant, 2006)(Bryant, 2006)

SkypeSkype fast connection preferablefast connection preferable headset required headset required free downloadfree download user-friendly interfaceuser-friendly interface calls free calls free dyads and small groups dyads and small groups file sharingfile sharing works on portable devicesworks on portable devices recording software compatibiltyrecording software compatibilty

Call recording softwareCall recording software

Pamela Pamela

freefree downloaddownload

automatically embeds into Skypeautomatically embeds into Skype

records up to 15 minutesrecords up to 15 minutes

files saved in mp3 format,- can be attached to emails and files saved in mp3 format,- can be attached to emails and uploaded to learning platformuploaded to learning platform

Uses of VoIPUses of VoIP

• tandem speaking projects using buddy service or tandem speaking projects using buddy service or sites such as sites such as MixxerMixxer

• socialisation between learners at outset of online socialisation between learners at outset of online coursecourse

• structured activities for pairs and small groups structured activities for pairs and small groups

• exam practiceexam practice

... in conjunction with call recorders... in conjunction with call recorders

• tutor feedbacktutor feedback • self-monitoringself-monitoring and and assessmentassessment

Self-monitoring and assessmentSelf-monitoring and assessment

ASSESSMENT

Listen to your performance and note your strengths and weaknesses according to the following criteria:

1. GRAMMAR (range and accuracy)

2. VOCABULARY (range and accuracy; any items you were unable to express)

3. PRONUNCIATION (stress, intonation and individual sounds; appropriate use of contractions)

4. DIALOGIC INTERACTION (length; hesitation; turn-taking)

5. APPROPRIACY (register; did you answer the question?)

Bringing voices into online coursesBringing voices into online courses

• FreeFree voice voice recordersrecorders

• Tutors and students record and post Tutors and students record and post voicevoice messages messages to forumsto forums

• Voice boards – asynchronous oral conferencing Voice boards – asynchronous oral conferencing

Students can click on welcome messages to listen Students can click on welcome messages to listen

or read (top block central column)or read (top block central column)

Tutor posts personal introduction (both audio and Tutor posts personal introduction (both audio and text text versions) to group forum and models type of input versions) to group forum and models type of input requiredrequired

The Gong ModuleThe Gong Module

SYNCHRONOUS SPEAKING ACTIVITIES SYNCHRONOUS SPEAKING ACTIVITIES

• develop learners’ use of phonetic and syntactic systemdevelop learners’ use of phonetic and syntactic system

• trigger noticing and use of repair strategies = negotiating trigger noticing and use of repair strategies = negotiating meaningmeaning

• internalize learninginternalize learning

• enhance socialisationenhance socialisation

ASYNCHRONOUS FOLLOW-UPASYNCHRONOUS FOLLOW-UP

• enables self-monitoring and assessmentenables self-monitoring and assessment

• allows learners time to reflect on, and refine outputallows learners time to reflect on, and refine output

• facilitates tutor feedbackfacilitates tutor feedback

• increases learner autonomy by raising metalinguistic increases learner autonomy by raising metalinguistic awarenessawareness

Please contact Claire Pinks, Please contact Claire Pinks, pinks@unisi.itpinks@unisi.it for links to sites for links to sites referred to in this presentation.referred to in this presentation.