Speaking and Listening Online and at a Distance Claire Pinks University of Siena

MEDIUMMODESKILL bookstextreading computers interactive text reading and writing sound cards, speakers audiolistening voice tools VoIP/audio recorders/voice boards interactive audio speaking and listening

Listening Practice Listening Practice offline - using text book and CD offline - using text book and CD resource-based online practice resource-based online practiceonline practiceonline practice podcasts podcasts

Podcasts Podcasts usually copyright free usually copyright free small mp3 files → easy to open and save small 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 authentic enormous variety both educational and authentic

Example of an aggregator or reader Example of an aggregator or reader

Podcasts Podcasts usually copyright free usually copyright free small mp3 files → easy to open and save small mp3 files → easy to open and save free subscription free subscription enormous variety both educational and authentic enormous variety both educational and authenticvarietyeducationalauthenticvarietyeducationalauthentic

Uses of Podcasts Uses of Podcasts tutor selects podcast and prepares task tutor selects podcast and prepares task student selects podcast according to interest and reports back student selects podcast according to interest and reports back student selects podcast and prepares task for peers student selects podcast and prepares task for peers individual/cohort produce their own podcast individual/cohort produce their own podcast

Speaking Speaking webtelephony webtelephony instant messaging instant messaging call recorders call recorders audio recorders audio recorders voice boards voice boards

“The line is blurring between what used to be two separate utilities, instant messaging vendors (…) and VoIP providers” (Bryant, 2006) Skype  fast connection preferable  headset required free download free download user-friendly interface user-friendly interface calls free calls free dyads and small groups dyads and small groups file sharing file sharing works on portable devices works on portable devices recording software compatibilty recording software compatibilty

Call recording software Pamela Call recording software Pamela free download free download free download free download automatically embeds into Skype automatically embeds into Skype records up to 15 minutes records up to 15 minutes files saved in mp3 format,- can be attached to s and uploaded to learning platform files saved in mp3 format,- can be attached to s and uploaded to learning platform

Uses of VoIP Uses of VoIP tandem speaking projects using buddy service or sites such as Mixxer tandem speaking projects using buddy service or sites such as MixxerMixxer socialisation between learners at outset of online course socialisation between learners at outset of online course structured activities for pairs and small groups structured activities for pairs and small groups exam practice exam practice... in conjunction with call recorders... in conjunction with call recorders tutor feedback tutor feedback self-monitoring and assessment self-monitoring and assessment self-monitoring and assessment self-monitoring and assessment

Self-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 courses Bringing voices into online courses Free voice recorders Free voice recorders Free voice recorders Free voice recorders Tutors and students record and post voice messages to forums Tutors and students record and post voice messages to forumsvoice Voice boards – asynchronous oral conferencing Voice boards – asynchronous oral conferencing

Students can click on welcome messages to listen or read (top block central column)

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

The Gong Module The Gong Module

SYNCHRONOUS SPEAKING ACTIVITIES SYNCHRONOUS SPEAKING ACTIVITIES develop learners’ use of phonetic and syntactic system develop learners’ use of phonetic and syntactic system trigger noticing and use of repair strategies = negotiating meaning trigger noticing and use of repair strategies = negotiating meaning internalize learning internalize learning enhance socialisation enhance socialisation

ASYNCHRONOUS FOLLOW-UP ASYNCHRONOUS FOLLOW-UP enables self-monitoring and assessment enables self-monitoring and assessment allows learners time to reflect on, and refine output allows learners time to reflect on, and refine output facilitates tutor feedback facilitates tutor feedback increases learner autonomy by raising metalinguistic awareness increases learner autonomy by raising metalinguistic awareness

Please contact Claire Pinks, for links to sites referred to in this presentation.