Using digital audio in the languages classroom

Resources

Using digital audio is not too difficult and is immensely rewarding for teacher and student. Some resources are listed below.

• Digital Voices across the Curriculum: a CILT project in collaboration with the BBC
• Languages-ICT Action Research CILT-ALL: Summaries are available of the latest action research projects and details of earlier ones can be downloaded as pdf documents from the Archive section:
  2006-07: 'Whose voice is it anyway?' Engaging the imagination in developing speaking skills, using audio and video editing software. St Aidan’s RC School, Sunderland.
  2006-07: Using digital audio and common software to improve speaking skills
  All Saints RC High School, Sheffield.
  2006-07: Using ICT, in particular digital audio, to improve pronunciation and develop narrative skills Holmfirth High School, Holmfirth.
  2005-06 'Just listen to yourself' Using audio editing software to improve speaking skills: St Aidan’s RC School, Sunderland.
• Languages-ICT Technology for Languages CILT-ALL: Digital Audio 'What are mp3 files for MFL?' (downloadable pdf)
• For simple instructions on how to use Windows Sound Recorder, download the Quick guide to Windows Sound Recorder (doc 486 KB)
• AHDS (Arts and Humanities Data Service) Creating digital audio resources; a guide to good practice.
• Consult ICT4LT, especially the pages on copyright.
• Audacity: free downloadable audio editing software. Remember to also download the lame mp3 encoder which is necessary for saving files in mp3 format.
• Free sound effect: There are a number of sites that offer free sound effects or short pieces of music to download. Try http://www.findsounds.com/