Sometimes, without realizing it, we send the message to students that it is the written language that is most important. We evaluate more writing than speaking in homework and on tests and exams. If we want students to focus more on oral language, we need to put our money where our mouth is and assign more oral work. Here are two examples of tools that can aid us in assigning oral homework for language class.
Google Voice
You can set up a Google Account or perhaps you already have one. One of its many tools or features is Google Voice.
Google Voice gives you a free telephone number that you can use to call and receive calls through your account. It includes voicemail as well. Some Google Voice features cost money, but receiving voicemail is free and can be used to collect student audio homework.
Why would you want students to be able to respond orally to questions outside of the classroom? Think about that for a minute.
A. Click on the Google Voice Widget below and leave a message (your audio homework) answering the question.
(How to create a Widget: https://www.google.com/voice?pli=1#webcall)The widget will ask you for your name and tel. number, then it will connect the call to the Google Voice voicemail.
Begin your answer with: "Bonjour monsieur. Je m'appelle Snow White." (If you prefer, you can use Spanish or English. Also, if your name is not Snow White, please use your real name.)
Leave your message and then hang up.
B. Call this same Google Voice number: (607) 301-0834. Leave your name again and tell me if you prefer using the web Widget or your telephone, and why.
You'll be able to access your students audio responses to your assignment through your Google Voice account web page.
