ICT for Teaching Speaking

Speaking is really important to be mastered because we use speaking for communication in our daily life. In the fast developing 21st century various innovative technologies are being introduced to teach English in the classrooms.The teacher have to use modern technologies to teach English to the students. Students have to update their knowledge by using modern technologies. As the conventional chalk and talk method seems to be boring to the students ,teachers emphasize on latest technologies for teaching the subjects.

There are some links to learn by using iPad or phone:

- Explain Everything. (www.expaineverything.com)

- Educreations (www.educreations.com)

- ShowMe Interactive (www.shiwme.com)

Those are also useful apps. Not only can you add text, pictures, apps and arrows you can record yourself basically explaining whatever you are presenting. This apps can be applied across the curriculum and children aroun 1-6 year. It is fairly straightforward to use and children are always engaged and focused on the task in hand.

- Blabberize allows you to upload an image, have the mouth’s image move in a comedic way, and then “speak” your voice. Students can use their own photos, or a famous person, cartoon character, etc. Blabberize can be used in the same way ESL/EFL teachers sometimes have students use puppets — students can feel more comfortable speaking when it’s not really “them” doing the talking.

- A Voki is a talking avatar students can design and easily post on a blog or website. Sue Waters has written excellent step-by-step instructions on how to post a Voki.

- Voice Thread is well-known. Between the free unlimited account for educators, the ability to type text as well as record audio, the ability to grab images off the Web to reinforce understanding, and the great feature of being able to leave audio comments, I don’t think anything beats it.

- Voxopop.Formerly called Chinswing, it lets you easily create private voice “chatboards.” Students can leave messages and respond to one another, or teachers can leave speaking assignments for students to complete. It’s similar to Grapevine and to Vaestro Voice Channel.

Those apps is really useful and interesting to be applied in the classroom, especially for teaching speaking.

For further information about ICT for teaching speaking please click link below:

• https://sites.google.com/site/journaloftechnologyforelt/archive/january2011/useofmoderntechnologiestoteachcommunicationskills
• http://mrparkinsonict.blogspot.co.id/2013/01/apps-to-encourage-quality-speaking-and.html
• http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2008/03/17/the-best-sites-to-practice-speaking-english/
• http://www2.nkfust.edu.tw/~emchen/CALL/unit6.htm