The Power of Voice

Although we like to say that actions speak louder than words, we humans can’t replace spoken communication with just gestures and movements. Speaking is a major part of our lives and so teaching and learning speaking skills in a foreign language is vital.

 

The secrets of speaking competence 

How to speak well? Well, the number 1 secret is – speak as much as you can! And while you are doing this, don’t worry about your accent, your vocabulary shortage or your comprehension limits. It doesn’t matter because secret number 2 is - be relaxed and don’t be too critical about yourself. You will start moving in the right direction towards fluency when you feel comfortable to express yourself and understand what others say.

Returning to secret number 1 and the idea of practising a lot of speaking, start from speaking to yourself! Yes, it is not as mad as it might sound. There could be reasons why you want start practising your speaking skills without a conversation partner. For example, if you would feel more confident by doing some speaking practice before getting into real conversation. 

What is it?

So, this time I am going to check some tools that offer learners speaking practice that they can do on their own. Don’t worry though, I haven’t forgotten all the pedagogical principles about interaction and social nature of language learning. These are very important concepts to remember for the next step of speaking skills’ development as ultimately, speaking is important for connecting with people. Let’s just allow those for whom speaking a new language means fun and fear at the same time, to have a gradual gentle beginning of the learning journey towards the unknown.  We can do this by showing them a useful step – speaking and recording yourself and the devices that are designed to help with this.    

One of them - Flipgrid - is a web-based platform that allows to record and post videos with or without some instructions. It is perfect for recording yourself speaking as you can play it back and not only hear your pronunciation and possible mistakes, but also see your body language and facial expression during speaking! Moreover, you can improve and re-record your speech until you are happy with your expected result. No wonder this platform became very popular with educators who use it for setting up video discussions and exchanges. 

                    

https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/using-flipgrid-for-face-to-face-asynchronous-student-interactions/

How it works

Students respond to the topics set by the teachers in video clips, and it can be shared with the whole class for peer feedback. The grids (that’s why the platform is called Flipgrid) can hold countless number of topics and responses in all sorts of formats, such as: videos, text-based, GIFs, attached files, emojis.

https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/using-flipgrid-for-face-to-face-asynchronous-student-interactions/

For more tips and tutorials, follow Flipgrid blog link.

Some of the uses in the classroom I would suggest are:

 

👩🏼‍🏫 versatile for every learning situation – distance learning, blended learning and even the classroom with limited number of the devices

 

👥 particularly useful for discussions and practising critical thinking skills

 

💻 presentations or informal short responses

 

🗣 opportunity for teachers to hear students’ voices individually!

 

🏠  a catch-up solution for supporting absent students

Any concerns?

🤔 Students can spend too much time playing with interactive features of the tool and get distracted from the main purpose of assignment

🤭 If working in 'no image' mode, students can simply read out the written/copied text instead of producing an authentic response   

Warning!

Once you have practised your speaking skills with Flipgrid, you can test them with your home devices like Siri (Apple) or Alexa (Android). This is a great challenge because Siri and Alexa will test your pronunciation and it can be entertaining. When I used to ask Siri to play Classic FM radio on our AirPod, it did it most of the time to my great satisfaction. However, occasionally it heard it as Crime and Suspense FM (one of quite rare American radio stations😱) and it is quite difficult to make Siri change her mind!

https://www.theverge.com/22704233/siri-apple-digital-assistant-10-years-development-problems-why

Overall,

Tools like Flipgrid help language learners, either individually or as a part of the classroom, to practise articulating their ideas and they can do it at the comfort of your own home rather than being put on the spot in front of the class. It can be a real eye opener (or shall I say ear opener👂😊) when it comes to self-awareness of your pronunciation, body language and expressive skills!

If you wish to explore more tools for speaking practice with the option of recording your speech, please check these:

Speechling                                  Vocaroo                               Screencast-o-matic 

It's smarter to work as a team!

Online Collaboration 💪 Tools

The reason I have chosen ICT in TESOL as my special module – and I made this choice very quickly 😆 – is because I realised that ever since I had to store my first thesis on a floppy disk, the way the world communicates has changed radically. In fact, I would dare to say that the communication barely existed before the Internet. What people once called communication was mostly possible in person. The other ways of communication were difficult or were taking a long time. We now look at some “ancient” technologies as a sign of our real age 🤭 and marvel at what we can do or rather what modern technologies can do for us today. 

 

What is it?

 

So, communication. This week we are testing the online collaboration tools and I have to tell you  - it is a real re-vo-lu-tion! They allow - no more no less - travelling in no time and transformation from physical to digital space. In education, the whiteboard, an epicentre of the classroom has made a digital shift in recent years too, combining the advantages of visual thinking and collaboration with the virtuosity and convenience of technology. Forget the messy chalk on blackboards (shush 🤫 age)! Confidently keeping its position in the top 10 of online whiteboards is Conceptboard which I am going to review this time.

screenshot

 

Is it useful?

 

Although this platform is mostly used in marketing and project planning in business, it is primarily a service that provides a whiteboard online space that could be used successfully in teaching and learning. Its versatile applications include:

 

♾Infinite canvas – no borders to how big the whiteboard could be

⏱  Real time collaboration as well as asynchronous modifications 

📑 Various templates

👀 Range of visual tools, such as sketches, sticky notes, shapes, easy drag&drop function for images, videos and other files

🗂 Ability to attach files – allowing you to make presentations, explanation of new concepts or online tutorials 

↖️ My favourite – live cursors – allows everyone to be an interactive ongoing participant!

 

screenshot

Any concerns?

 

🤔  Zoom function is too sensitive

🤔  Internet access is needed

🤔  Only two languages supported

🤔  Multiple layouts on the same canvas can get too cluttered

 

Online collaboration tools like Conceptboard, as the description suggests, support collaboration and interaction in the classroom which is a vital part of language learning process. Also, teaching learners online means that teachers provide opportunities for them to develop the whole new range of useful skills, such as managing their learning and developing confidence in taking initiative and risks (autonomy), peer feedback or editing and brainstorming activities (meaningful interaction). There is still a valid role for a teacher to support the development of these skills. 

 

There are many other online collaborative tools in the market. If you are interested in finding out which one works better for you, then go and explore as they all have their own benefits:

 

Scribbler

Padlet

Twiddla

Stormboard

Are you APP for a language learning challenge?

Exactly two years ago when the pandemic struck, we were suddenly put in a position of staying at home. At that time it felt obvious to me to do something useful with loads of lockdown time. Something like learning a new language! Or to polish old language skills. So, I searched language learning apps and chose the best rated and ... also free DUOLINGO! Actually, it’s still the only free language learning app on the market. Let me tell you what my experience was.  

https://www.fluentin3months.com/reviews/duolingo/

Do it with Duo... or... maybe 🤔 think again.

 

Is it because of the design?

 

Apps are the modern way of performing specific tasks or offering services like language learning. Duolingo is an engaging app which is more interesting than coursebooks. It is well designed for ... children? Yes, the graphics are a bit childish but some people call it cute, so it is down to personal taste. Bite-size lessons are intended to fit in with a modern busy life.

 

Is it boring?

 

No, Duolingo is based on a gamified learning approach. It has many built-in features to boost motivation, such as a “crown” reward system, practice streaks to show daily progress or earning “lingots” for correct answers and using a leader board where you can rank yourself against your friends. It is also great for a visual learner - there are pictures, colours, highlighted texts, buttons, strength bars. However, the “heart” system could be disheartening for some people who make too many mistakes and lose hearts 😥 Duolingo’s motivational tactics have been famous – many users joke about Duo stalking and shaming you to make you study.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Famericasbestpics.com%2Fpicture%2Fduolingo-duolingo-coming-soon-please-don-t-hurt-my-famly-CFqNZzMq8&psig=AOvVaw3uzZmMDERBmoVwEh903in8&ust=1650455130353000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCODtpNOGoPcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAJ

So, it’s definitely not boring – Duolingo recognises that language learners need to be motivated!

 

Does it bring poor results?

 

Well, that depends on what sort of results you are expecting. There are some studies Duolingo research that show learners’ better performance in tests. 

 

So what’s the problem?

 

📝❓If you are specific about learning in-depth authentic vocabulary or are an accomplished language student and your answers are correct but don’t fit into the most standard pattern, then you would find it frustrating to fight with computer’s translation pre-sets. Another vocabulary related issue is – Duolingo doesn’t provide context which could affects memorising. 

🤖❓Also, mechanical machine voice modelling of language is definitely not about becoming a good language speaker.

🗣❓Finally, if your target is to become fluent, you most definitely need to add a language course or tutor’s support. It is more the case of finding the right place for a language learning app in our learning rather than making our learning goals depending on the app.  

 

Verdict⚖

It’s hard to claim Duolingo is a waste of time since many people find it works for them. It is a good introduction to a new language or learning new phrases before a trip, perfect for casual user. However, as a teacher I wouldn’t recommend Duolingo as an approved supplement to my language lessons for certain ethical reasons. For example, there are widespread reports online of mischarging and a lack of customer support. Nor would I categorically ban or discourage my students from using language apps as it is  certainly not a bad way to spend a few spare minutes to learn a new phrase or two. Overall, Duolingo deserves a big thumbs up for making language learning accessible for everyone and for promoting learners’ autonomy.

📊You might find it helpful to read App vs App about leading language learning apps and their comparison reviews.

Seek and you shall find

Hi all, hope you are all doing well ☺it’s great to welcome you again to my blog! 

 

What is it?

 

Today I would like to introduce another tool that integrates technology into teaching and learning. Please, welcome the popular veteran 🏆 WebQuest. Although it started in 1995, with the recent increase in online learning many educators renewed their interest in WebQuest. Your students will definitely like the guided and scaffolded way of researching ideas online in order to solve challenges and complete tasks.

 

How useful is it for language learning?

 

🕵🏼‍♀️‍     Authentic and focused on real life skills

❓ Inquiry – oriented task

🪜     Scaffolded

👫     Collaborative skills

🌐     Web based project

‍🧑🏽‍💻     Technology skills building

🔄     Reviewing and recapping

💡     Exploring a new idea

 

Any issues?

 

It’s important to stick to the original WebQuest formula and ethos. Tom March (2005), a co-founder of the idea emphasises the activities had to be “real, rich and relevant”. It is an authentic method and therefore its implementation should be based on the original principles, such as :

promotion of higher order thinking and inquiry skills

problem-solving nature of the tasks

effective integration of technology

   

Those who feel inspired by WebQuest and want to create their own project should ensure it is not misused and all the principles are understood and followed accordingly. 

 

Any more useful info?

 

There are thousands of WebQuests available in the Quest Garden, but if you feel you need to adapt an existing project to your students’ needs, there is a helpful page Adapting &Enhancing Webquest that will guide you through a step-by-step tweaking process, which is shown in the diagram:

 

Finally, I would like to share with you my opinion on the quest Let’s open a restaurant created by Iman Satori. It is a project for adult English language learners and is particularly useful because it provides opportunity for practising real world skills – setting up a business.

 

The tasks are laid out very clearly and designed to engage students’ individual capabilities (eg. different job roles). 

It allows students to use their imagination and problem-solving skills in a practical context. I particularly like the fact that the task included requirements for the language that students should practise (eg. modal verbs, offering advice or making suggestions) and examples (evidence of scaffolding). Use of the Web has been thought through and the list of the websites is very straightforward. It is a multi-tasking, complex project that involves researching and team-working. I think it would appeal to the students who are preparing to make their career choices or, as suggested, adults who can try different job roles in a professional context. This Quest provides plenty of opportunities to practise language skills which are then evaluated during oral and written presentations. Even the template evaluation table is provided!

 

• My advice would be to make a few adjustments to the websites list that students will need to work with – if you don’t live in the US, you could replace the American websites with the local ones which would be relevant for your area.   
• Also, the Quest would benefit from some materials in the Teacher page which has no content at the moment. However, this is an optional section which teachers can fill in with their own instructions and observations that are relevant to their students.

 

👩🏼‍🏫I definitely think that WebQuest projects can bring additional variation to my teaching and hence increase the enjoyment and engagement of my students. 

Reference:

March, T. (2005). The new www: Whatever, whenever wherever. Educational Leadership, 63(4), 14-19.

It's a simple task to make things complex, but a complex task to make things simple.

Hi all! 

Hope you are fine and couldn’t wait for my next review 😉 how fantastic this would be!

What is it?

Today I am checking out gaming tools that can enhance teaching and learning and improve motivation of your students! Did you say “MOTIVATION” 🤩 ?? - I can hear you cry! Yes, there is something magical in motivation, isn’t there? It is quite powerful and can turn a mundane process into an exciting and successful adventure which can be helped by games. I checked out Voki, Triptico App. Kahoot, Deck Toys, Quizlet and Wordwall. So let me come straight to the winner – Wordwall 🏆, a web-based tool that allows teachers to create activities for their learners easily and quickly! And where can I start – it’s got tons of benefits:

• Easy to register. Not confident with technology? – no problem, you just need an email address to enter and you can start gamifying learning tasks straight away! 
•  Time saving! You can create an activity in minutes.
• Option to create printable worksheets
•  Option to edit an activity to meet your learners needs
• Variety of themes and graphics to match any purpose
•  Huge variety of game templates, such as:

screenshot

The free version gives access to 18 interactive templates which could be upgraded to 33 for a small subscription fee.

•  My favourite: available in many languages, not just in English! 

screenshot

 

Any concerns?

To be honest, it’s hard to find any really serious drawbacks... If I am really picky, I would mention these:

o   Internet connection required.

o    No import function to upload your content all in one go, but you can cut and paste your content.                                             

o   And yes, you have to pay a small fee to be able to access the version with more than 18 free templates and have an unlimited number of resources you can create. 

I have subscribed for a Pro licence - it's only £6 a month and it will allow me to create multiplayer activities. The subscription could be cancelled any time BUT you wouldn’t lose anything you have created. You can’t ask for the rules any fairer than that! 

Look what I have created in less than 5 minutes ⏳:

Wordwall Digital Learning Matching Game

Now you can ask me a professional question: What approaches to language learning or research underpin the use of this technology?

For Encouraging Engagement: class competitions, projects for students to create an activity for each other, self-study, individual tasks for fast learners.

 

Proved by Pedagogy: Interaction, differentiation, motivation and autonomy.

 

Support Solutions: versatile use in questionnaires and surveys, not just language related, starters, revision, online/face to face, feedback for teachers on students’ performance.

 

Conclusion

Overall, I can’t recommend it highly enough, but don’t take my word for granted – try Wordwall and its fantastic features and uses yourself! Hope you had enough information to feel encouraged to check it out, so please, come back and share your thoughts in comments below.