AUDACITY : Audio Apps to Support Teaching English Activity

Audacity is a free, open-source audio editing software widely used for recording and editing audio files. In the context of teaching English and integrating it with Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), Audacity serves as a powerful tool for both teachers and learners, enhancing language activities through audio-based resources. By enabling the creation and manipulation of sound recordings, Audacity helps develop key language skills such as listening, speaking, pronunciation, and fluency.

What is Audacity?

Audacity is a versatile audio app that allows users to:

1. Record live audio through a microphone or computer sound.
2. Edit sound files by cutting, copying, pasting, and mixing audio clips.
3. Enhance audio by adding effects such as noise reduction, amplification, and equalization.
4. Export files in various formats (MP3, WAV, etc.) for easy sharing and use in lessons.

Functions of Audacity in CALL-Based English Teaching:

1. Listening Practice: Teachers can record authentic listening materials or edit existing ones to suit learners' levels. For example, Audacity can be used to create listening exercises, such as dictations or comprehension tasks, where students listen to an audio clip and answer questions based on it.

2. Pronunciation Training: Audacity can help students improve their pronunciation by allowing them to record their own speech and compare it with native speakers. Teachers can use Audacity to create pronunciation drills, focusing on difficult sounds, intonation, and rhythm. Learners can listen to recordings, imitate them, and receive feedback.

3. Speaking Activities: Students can use Audacity to record themselves speaking in English. Whether it’s a conversation practice, storytelling, or role-play, recording audio gives students the opportunity to practice speaking at their own pace, re-record, and self-assess their fluency and pronunciation.

4. Audio-Based Assessments: Teachers can use Audacity to create oral exams or quizzes. For example, they can record a set of questions or prompts and ask students to respond by submitting their own audio files, making it an effective way to assess speaking skills remotely.

5. Listening Comprehension: Audacity is ideal for editing authentic audio materials such as interviews, podcasts, or news reports. Teachers can cut or segment audio files into manageable parts and use them in class for comprehension activities.

6. Audio Projects: For project-based learning, students can create podcasts, audio blogs, or audio journals using Audacity. This not only promotes creativity but also enhances language skills in a real-world context.

How Audacity Supports CALL:

1. Multimedia Integration: Audacity allows teachers to integrate authentic, real-life audio into language lessons, making learning more engaging and interactive.

2. Flexibility and Customization: Teachers can tailor listening materials to different proficiency levels by slowing down or speeding up the audio, adjusting sound quality, or isolating specific segments for focused listening tasks.

3. Autonomous Learning: With Audacity, students can record, edit, and evaluate their own spoken language practice outside the classroom. This supports self-paced learning, which is a core feature of CALL.

4. Accessibility: Audacity is free and compatible with multiple operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux), making it an accessible tool for schools and learners with limited resources.

Example : I designed a task, which is a listening exercise aimed at improving English learners' comprehension and speaking skills in the context of a job interview scenario. The dialogue provided mimics a realistic conversation between a job applicant, Mrs. Stevens, and a personnel director, Jane Phillips. Learners are expected to listen carefully to the conversation, focusing on key details such as job qualifications, responsibilities, salary expectations, and benefits. By practicing with this material, students can become more familiar with common office and interview language, helping them build their vocabulary and listening comprehension.

See more : AUDIO TO SUPPORT TEACHING ENGLISH ACTIVITY