Voice Clips of General Phrases

This resource is a webpage that provides users with multiple audio files of specific Te Reo words with the purpose of understanding and learning how these words are correctly pronounced.

These voice clips would be useful when teaching and learning Te Reo as it allows the user to learn or check their pronunciation of words, as well as practising listening to how they are spoken.

Year Level

Any year level

Digital Technology

Website–accessible from computers, laptops, mobile devices and tablets/iPads.

Access

http://www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz/resources/hakinakina-booklet-2017/general-phrases/

Features

Audio files of various greetings and general conversation.
Downloadable files.
Able to be played through browser.
Able to be downloaded and played on computers/laptops as well as tablets/iPads and mobile devices.
Clear pronunciation.
Links available to other voice clips, organised by subject (e.g. sport phrases and place names).
Easy to use layout.

Review and Critique

This resource is simplistic in the fact that it only provides the user with English to Māori translations in text, with supporting audio files to hear how the Te Reo words are pronounced. This could aid students in achieving the learning outcome, if the goal is to be able to listen and comprehend what is being said, or if the goal is to be able to articulate particular words or phrases (Mayes & Freitas, 2013).

The audio files support students’ learning by helping them to familiarise themselves with the sounds of the language in order to improve their pronunciation, their understanding of how others talk, and their understanding of how the written word is spoken (Mills, 2014; Vandergriff & Goh , 2012). Furthermore, students listening to these audio files either individually or collaboratively, may find this resource more engaging as they have the ability to listen to the clips at their own pace, and repeat them as many times as they deem necessary (Kirkman, 2017).

Although this resource is useful, it may not suit all learners. It is likely that some students will enjoy listening to the language to help them improve pronunciation or listening skills, but others may dislike listening to the language on its own and find it boring and unengaging (Vandergriff & Goh , 2012).

Just like most digital resources, these audio clips are not sufficient on their own (Churchill, 2017; Mills, 2014). It should accompany the learning by adding further knowledge from a different perspective. It is also able to be, and should be referred back to throughout the current learning, and in future learning situations (Churchill, 2017).

The additional voice clips available are only on the subject of sports. Whilst this is unique to most resources and can engage students, it would be useful if there were other subjects and everyday phrases available such as food, classroom language, or emotions and feelings.

Recommendations for Users and Developers

It would be most beneficial to use this resource during the initial learning of the language and the context it is used in (Vandergriff & Goh , 2012). It would provide an alternative voice for students to listen to, rather than the teacher all the time. It may also be worthwhile allowing students to access this website as a sort of audio dictionary to promote the use of Te Reo in the classroom.

I have suggested that this resource can be used throughout all of the primary school years because of the range of voice clips available. In regards to the Ministry of Education’s (2009) guidelines for teaching and learning Te Reo Māori in English-Medium schools, students at level 1 (years 0-3) should be learning general phrases used in everyday conversation such as hello and goodbye. Therefore I would suggest that the general phrases voice clips would be useful for these years and the other subjects be used according to the level the students are working at, or the relevance of the subject to the class.

For the developers, I would recommend expanding the database, and adding more audio files that are on the topics of everyday language such as words heard in the classroom, food, or feelings/emotions.

Google Sites

Report abuse