Soundcloud

For the Tech Testdrive 2012, I shared an audio app called Soundcloud. This is a tool that allows easy audio recordings which can be saved and shared. An added feature is that the listener can add a text comment at any point in the recording as they are listening. If you don't have a smartphone or want to use this in the computer lab, you can work directly on the Soundcloud site, but the ease of using this in the classroom is a real plus.

I first learned about this tool at the TESOL conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Tyson Seburn from Toronto gave a presentation about some of the ways he had used Soundcloud for his language instruction and I thought it was worth a closer look but it took me another year to get around to it. I was experimenting more with using Voicethread in the classroom and how this tool allows for a discussion to be held with a group but there are some applications that Soundcloud might be a better choice for some actvities. That said, here are just a few ideas from an initial brainstorm. (Tyson provides some other ideas as well as more information about the features of using Soundcloud in his blog post so be sure to check it out as well!)

Here are a few ideas for how to use this in a language classroom with teacher created audio:

• Model or create exercises for grammar practice. You can record examples of sentences using one or a mixture of grammar skills. 
• Read a list of sentences using different verb tenses. Students can add comments identifying the verb tense used.
• Read a passage but leave out all the articles. Have students add the articles in at the appropriate locations using the comment feature.
• Read sentences containing grammar errors. Have the students listen for the error.
• Model or create exercises for recognizing pronunciation features.
• Rising and falling intonation in question forms. Students can identify up or down after each.
• Sentence stress to answer a variety of WH questions (see below) Students identify the appropriate question for the stress used.
• Show how connected speech is used. Students use the comment feature to identify incidences of connectedness in the sample.
• Introduce pronunciation of a new list of vocabulary words.
• Sentence stress and intonation to express different meanings with the same words. Students identify the emotion or meaning based on the different intonations.

• Record sample quotes or passages for students to respond to.
• In order to use the passages for a variety of activities, record a list of numbers after the passage and prepare questions on a handout or online to accompany the recording. Respond to questions of comprehension, vocabulary use, require dictation of parts of the passage, give opinion etc. (see below)

The students can be given a link to take them to the Soundcloud page to listen and respond or you can use the embed code directly in your blog, wiki or other course management system.


Now a few ideas for having the students create their own audio. They can share the secret link with you by email or they can make the file public and share their page with all the audio they create.

• Tasks for Accuracy checks
• Sentences applying grammar correctly.
• Words, Phrases or Sentences modeling pronunciation features.
• Fluency based tasks
• Introduce themselves to the class.
• Talk about a subject using vocabulary, ideas from in class lessons.
• Two students can create a dialogue/role-play using the app and share with others.
• Retell a news item they have read.
• Describe a scene or picture and see if their partner can draw it.
• Give directions using a map and have a partner follow them.

I'm sure there are a lot more. Please add your own ideas in the comments section. You can find more of my audio samples using Soundcloud here.  Have fun!