Digital Speaking

Free resources to enhance speaking in the Foreign Language Classroom

Catherine RitzOctober 2011

Why and How?

• Increase use of whole language• Emphasize communicative speaking goals• Give more individualized speaking practice to all

students (especially for large classes!)• Make speaking fun!• Transform homework assignments• Update old language labs for free• Add third dimension to projects• Evidence of student progress in oral skills

Types of Assessments

• Formative– Homework: quick check of student understanding– Smaller Project: incorporating various topics being

worked on in class• Summative– Part of a Test: complete in language lab or at

home– Larger Project: a new layer to a longstanding

project

Proficiency-Based• Interpretive Communication

– The Interpretive Mode is characterized by the appropriate cultural interpretation of meanings that occur in written and spoken form where there is no recourse to the active negotiation of meaning with the writer or speaker.

• Interpersonal Communication– The Interpersonal Mode is characterized by active negotiation of meaning among

individuals. Participants observe and monitor one another to see how their meanings and intentions are being communicated. Adjustments and clarifications can be made accordingly.

• Presentational Communication– The Presentational Mode is characterized by the creation of messages in a manner that

facilitates interpretation by members of the target culture where no direct opportunity for the active negotiation of meaning exists.

• Moving towards new AP expectations

*Definitions from AP French Language & Culture, Course & Exam Descriptionapcentral.collegeboard.com

Assessment Rubrics

• Performance rubrics– Foreign Language Educators of New Jersey• http://flenj.org/CAPS/?page=147

– Wellesley High School (adapted for Arlington HS)• Performance rubric

Resources that allow for Presentational Communication

• Blabberize.com– Free site where you can upload a digital photo and

make it talk. Very fun!– Student Samples

• Besmurfed.com– Free, fun site where you make Smurfs talk– Sample

• Vocaroo.com– Free basic voice recording site. No registration.

Students either email link or embed code to teacher.

– Samples• Glogster.com– Create fun interactive posters. Students can record

sound files on their computers, then upload them to the glog.

– Teacher Sample– Student Sample– Student Sample with Video

• GoAnimate.com– Create cartoons and record your own audio for

free.– Student Sample

• Voki.com– Create free avatars and record your own voice.

(Or type text and set a good accent!)– Student Samples– Class website sample

• VoiceThread.com– Free to create individual accounts (pay to create

student accounts). Add pictures and record audio to make stories.

– Sample• MailVu.com– Create video messages that you email for free.

Can also get a public link of the message, but it only lasts 1 year! (Or you can set to self-destruct!)

– $5 to buy a widget to place on your website– Sample

• Voisse.com– Create free account, record your voice online or

with your cell phone.– Class sample

• Google Voice– Set up free account with gmail. Choose phone

number and link to your cell phone, then select “Do Not Disturb.” All calls go to your inbox and can be embedded or played online.

– Call me at 617-651-0483

Resources that allow for Interpretative Communication

• http://lingtlanguage.com– Free to sample, $79 per year for unlimited use– Record prompts or add videos/written questions,

and have students respond orally or in writing– No registration required for the students– Question prompts: Hola– Video prompt: Les Schtroumpfs– Image interpretation: Petit Nicolas

• Use any of the resources listed under Presentational Communication, but give the student something they need to respond to first.– For example, give students a reading and have

them record a one-minute reaction/summary/opinion of it using an online recording site.

– Have the students watch a video you’ve chosen from YouTube, then react to it orally using an online recording site.

Resources that allow for Interpersonal Communication

• audioboo.fm– A free, audio-based social network. – Record updates about yourself from your phone

or online.– Can message friends directly. Can be linked to

Twitter or Facebook.– Follow me and let’s test it out: ritzforeignlang

• WeToKu.com– Free video site, can set “private” video settings– Can do “interviews” with two people.– Seem to not be playing videos correctly, but keep

your eye on this site!• Google Video Chat– Students need gmail accounts (free). Add each

other as contacts. When online, select to chat and click on video icon. Chats will be saved and could be viewed in class.

Practice

• Pick as many resources as you have time to practice with.

• Create a teacher model for an upcoming project.

• Email me the “embed code” (or share the link) at catherineritz@gmail.com

• I will post on my blog so we can all see what you created.

Additional Resources

• catherineritz.org– Check “Resources: Tech Sites”– Samples created today will be posted at:• ritzylanguage.blogspot.com