I Can't Believe Google Docs Improves My Spoken English!
You might be surprised to be told that Google Docs can also help us improve spoken English. π€―
Actually, we often use Word documents for essay writing, but few of us know that they can also be used to practice speaking. To be honest, I had no idea until I was demonstrated using this feature.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ Read on and you will have a new understanding ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
π Steps To Use It
1. Open Google Chrome, and then open Docs from the Google apps;
If you don't have a Google account, it only takes a few minutes to create one.
2. Create a new document, then choose Voice Typing from the Tools;
3. Choose the pieces that you need to practice, then Click to Speak.
Read your text slowly and word by word. The text will be automatically typed into the document when you read it. It is actually like "voice recognition".
4. Demonstration video:
You can check out this demo video.
The selected text is shown below. You can make a comparison with the video.
"The results of this study should be of interest to English teachers of beginning learners who are in search of effective methods for improving oral fluency."
Or, if you can't open the above link, you can also watch this one:
π The Pros Of Google Docs
1. Easy to access. Almost everyone can use Document (Google, Microsoft, or WPS), and this function is free for use!
2. Easy to use. Teachers can demonstrate how to use it and it is very easy to learn. Students can practice at home.
3. Instant feedback. When you speak, the corresponding text is typed out in the document. So you can immediately know which pronunciations are not accurate enough. This feature allows you to self-correct and repeated practice.
π A small tip:
You can open Google Search at the same time. When you make a mistake (cannot be correctly identified), search for the correct pronunciation of this vocabulary immediately to improve your practice efficiency.
π The Cons Of Google Docs
1. This feature is too easy to use and, by contrast, monotonous or boring.
2. I have to make fun of the fact that this feature is not smart enough, which means it sometimes doesn't recognize what I'm saying. My research has shown that I need to practice in a quieter place, and I need to speak louder and slower.
π A Recommended Activity Design
As I mentioned above, this feature is relatively simple and students might feel boring with using it. To some extent, it also requires students' learning autonomy. As a teacher, you can use Google Docs in class to improve your students' oral fluency. To this end, here is an activity design for your reference.
The teacher can organize a debate activity in class and record the debate using Google Docs.
1. Debates will be held in groups. If you are in a large group of four, pair off and compete. In order to save time and allow students to get more inspiration from their peers, each group can have the same debate topic.
2. After forming a team, all students should prepare by reading or searching materials with their partners according to the topic. You can allow students to prepare at home, and you need to announce the team information and tasks in advance.
3. Have each group sit around a desk with electronic devices in the center (Google Docs and recording equipment). Because of the technical limitations of Docs, debate in groups with as few people as possible, and keep everyone quiet.
4. Students will be told in advance that this is an English debate competition, and it also requires attention to pronunciation and fluency. This can be difficult, so they need to prepare for that. Or when choosing a debate topic, the teacher can provide simple and interesting topics.
5. Documents and audio recording devices record both text and audio material, so students can compare them after class to reinforce their learning. At the same time, the teacher and other students watching can also give feedback.
π One More Advanced Recommendation
I also recommend a useful website for improving students' English fluency -- Easyprompter
1. Create an account. The site offers the free version and membership version, but the free version meets basic learner needs.
2. Paste text. Copy the text you want to practice into the text box. For repeated practice, you can choose "Save".
3. Practice. There is a teleprompter that scrolls as you read. You can use the space bar or click "play" to manipulate the teleprompter. Practice your speed and fluency by scrolling through subtitles.
4. When you want to keep up with the scrolling speed of subtitles, you can improve your speaking speed. In order to speak more clearly (or more like a native speaker), you will use some pronunciation techniques (e.g. linking, plosion, swallowing, etc.).
Also, the use of this site also requires learner autonomy, but teachers can use this website in the classroom to teach students in learning pronunciation skills and oral fluency.
To explore the site more, you can watch these videos:
Sometimes, practicing fluency with a teleprompter is also fun! π
π π π Hope it helps!
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