I've been asked recently about different ways to work on pronunciation using computers.  This post will outline one simple, yet very effective way to do just that.

Shadow talking or shadow speaking isn't really a new idea.  Language teachers and students have been doing it for years with tape decks.

The basic way a shadow speaking exercise works is like this:

1. A student listens to a pre-recorded audio file (a sentence, short paragraph, words for intonation, whatever)
2. the student then records their own voice trying to get their pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation to match as closely as possilbe to the sample.
3. if at all possible, both happen at the same time - the student listens, and while listening records their voice repeating (shadowing) the original.  With tape recorders this often required 2 machines: one for playing the listening, and a second for the recording.

To be sure this is a challenging activity, however it can be very valuable in helping students follow intonation and rythm patterns and become more aware of where their own rythm and intonation differs from that of a native speaker.

Doing shadow speaking on computers is simple.  It doesn't require expensive software, and is relatively easy to set up - no more difficult than on a tape.

In order to do it you'll need

• some recording software,
• some audio playback software - these are included on nearly any computer (windows media player, itunes, etc.)
• a microphone & headset, a
• the sample audio (which you can make using the recording software).

I'd recommend using a free software called "Audacity".  It is available for both MacOS and Windows.  It is VERY simple to use - pretty much the same as a tape recorder.

Now, you'll simply make the original samples yourself using audacity (or other similar software).  Save it in a common format (like .mp3).   Of course if want you can search the internet for audio files as well.  I just like to have more control over the audio - do as you wish.

Now you'll give the file to your students (email, via the web, on a CD or memory stick).

They will then listen to the audio sample in the playback software that plays audio and record their own voice using audacity.  They will have 2 programs running at the same time - one to play the audio, and one to record their voice.

That is really all there is to it.  Shadow talking is a great and simple way for a language student to improve their overall fluency, rythm, and understandability without a great deal of trouble.

Any comments or suggestions are welcome below.

Cheers,

Eric

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to the Teachers Call RSS Feed. When you subscribe you will get updates provided regularly to your RSS reader. It is a great way to stay up to date with the latest in CALL information and ideas. So go ahead and subscribe right now.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!