Fluency and Speaking I

Fluency and Speaking I

Picture from: Pixabay 

Today, we'll be looking at ways in which oral skills can be improved using computer-mediated communication but first …

What is computer-mediated communication or CMC?

“CMC is an umbrella term that encompasses various forms of human communication through networked computers, which can be synchronous or asynchronous and involve one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-many exchanges of text, audio, and/or video messages.” (Oxford Bibliographies)

Synchronous Communication happens in real-time between/among two or more actively communicating parties, like video conferencing and instant messaging.

Asynchronous Communication happens in instances where a conversation does not depend on an immediate answer, like emails and video and text messages.

(Mehri & Izadpanah, 2017).

"CMC uses two key functions of language to develop skills: interactive communication and meaningful interpretation" (BilyJ, 2019, p.5) so that learners can focus on meaning (Skehan, 1998), become aware of their own errors and reflect on their own learning (BilyJ, 2019; Shekary & Tahririan, 2006).

Although the above benefits can be true for both text-based and oral communication, what we are going to focus on this post is only Spoken/Oral Communication and ways to improve speaking through technologies that are easily accessed.

One of the most important benefits of CMC is reported to be its positive effect on the reduction of learners’ communication apprehension and speaking anxiety in a second or foreign language because it provides an unusual social and communicative experience, where many learners and language users feel less inhibited and anxious (Beauvois, 1997; Kern, 1995; Warschauer, 1996). 

🔊 Speaking from Experience ... 

The above-mentioned advantage of CMC is what my colleagues and I found out to be true when I was working for an online testing company. As an examiner and a member of the test developing team, I had to prepare various detailed and general reports about the students' progress and performance in tests or the quality of the online homework they did, etc. One thing that we got interested to investigate was comparing the results of physical face to face speaking tests that used to be held in schools with their teachers and our online speaking tests where students had to speak to a computer and artificial intelligence. After speaking to headteachers at these schools and comparing and discussing the results and even watching recorded videos of some particularly problematic cases, we were surprised about the results. We found out that even the shyest and the least confident students who were reluctant to say a word in S-to-S interactions in class and speaking tests were performing twice as better as they did in the face to face interactions. After gradual online homework and taking English quizzes and tests on our website, teachers reported that those passive students were more confident and even initiative in their class interactions because they were able to find out about their abilities and test themselves with much lesser stress of knowing that they are evaluated. Accordingly, this boosted up their confidence and helped them to silent their anxious inner voice a little bit and discover what they were really able to do. 

Now, I'm going to introduce some tools that can be easily found and used.

I. Speech-to-text Apps

Try one of the speech-to-text apps such as Dragon Dictation, Dictate, or simply google doc’s voice recorder to record yourself.

1. Set a goal for yourself
2. Practice
3. Record your speech
4. Listen to it and try to improve it
5. Exchange your recording with a friend and give and get feedback

II. Speechling

Speechling is a great tool to improve your pronunciation, vocabulary, and confidence. It’s extremely easy to get started with Speechling. You can just go to their website and sign up for free or download the Speechling app to your phone. You can sign up for Speechling in 5 seconds by using your email, Google, or Facebook account. Then, you choose your target language and you’re just ready for a start.

How does it work?

• Listen to a native speaker
• Speak and practice your own pronunciation
• Feedback from Speechling Coach
• Repeat
• Conversational fluency

For more tools, keep clam and stay tuned 👉 for my next post on Fluency and Speaking next week. 

What other tools do you use to practice speaking? Write about your experiences and techniques in the comment box.👇👇

References

Beauvois, M. H. (1997). Computer-mediated communication (CMC): Technology for improving speaking and writing. In M. D. Bush, & R. M. Terry (Eds.), Technology-enhanced language learning (pp. 165-184). Lincoln, IL: National Textbook.

Kern, R. (1995). Restructuring classroom interaction with networked computers: Effects on quantity and characteristics of language production. The Modern Language Journal, 79(4), 457-476.

Kitade, K. (2000). L2 learners; discourse and SLA theories in CMC: Collaborative interaction in internet chat. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 13(2), 143-166.

Mehri, S., & Izadpanah, S. (2017). The effect of computer-mediated communication tools in online setting on Iranian EFL learners’ teaching, social and cognitive existence. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 8(5), 978-985.

Shekary, M., & Tahririan, M. H. (2006). Negotiation of meaning and noticing in text-based online chat. The Modern Language Journal, 90(4), 557-573.

Skehan, P. (1998). A cognitive approach to language learning. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Warschauer, M., 1996. Comparing face-to-face and electronic discussion in the second language classroom. CALICO Journal 13 (2), 7–26.