This document summarizes a presentation about using free online resources to enhance speaking skills in foreign language classrooms. It discusses using these tools to provide more individualized speaking practice, make speaking fun, and transform homework. Several types of formative and summative assessments are described, including interpreting audio/video, having conversations, and creating presentations. Many specific websites are then outlined that allow for interpreting, presenting, and interacting in the target language, like Vocaroo for recording audio and Wikispaces for collaboration.

1. Speak & Share Online
Free resources to enhance speaking in
the Foreign Language Classroom
MAFLA Fall Conference
October 27, 2011
2:15-3:30 p.m.
Session E6, Seminar 1
Catherine Ritz

2. Why and How?
• Increase use of whole language
• Emphasize communicative speaking goals
• Give more individualized speaking practice to all
students (especially for large classes!)
• Make speaking fun!
• Transform homework assignments
• Update old language labs for free
• Add third dimension to projects
• Evidence of student progress in oral skills

3. Types of Assessments
• Formative
– Homework: quick check of student understanding
– Smaller Project: incorporating various topics being
worked on in class
• Summative
– Part of a Test: complete in language lab or at
home
– Larger Project: a new layer to a longstanding
project

4. Proficiency-Based
• Interpretive Communication
– The Interpretive Mode is characterized by the appropriate cultural
interpretation of meanings that occur in written and spoken form where there
is no recourse to the active negotiation of meaning with the writer or speaker.
• Interpersonal Communication
– The Interpersonal Mode is characterized by active negotiation of meaning
among individuals. Participants observe and monitor one another to see how
their meanings and intentions are being communicated. Adjustments and
clarifications can be made accordingly.
• Presentational Communication
– The Presentational Mode is characterized by the creation of messages in a
manner that facilitates interpretation by members of the target culture where
no direct opportunity for the active negotiation of meaning exists.
• Moving towards new AP expectations
*Definitions from AP French Language & Culture, Course & Exam Description
apcentral.collegeboard.com

5. Assessment Rubrics
• Performance rubrics
– Foreign Language Educators of New Jersey
• http://flenj.org/CAPS/?page=147
– Wellesley High School
• Performance rubric

6. Resources that allow for
Presentational Communication
• Blabberize.com
– Free site where you can upload a digital photo and
make it talk. Very fun!
– Student Samples
• Besmurfed.com
– Free, fun site where you make Smurfs talk
– Sample

7. • Vocaroo.com
– Free basic voice recording site. No registration.
Students either email link or embed code to
teacher.
– Samples
• Glogster.com
– Create fun interactive posters. Students can
record sound files on their computers, then
upload them to the glog.
– Teacher Sample
– Student Sample
– Student Sample with Video

8. • GoAnimate.com
– Create cartoons and record your own audio for
free.
– Student Sample
• Voki.com
– Create free avatars and record your own voice.
(Or type text and set a good accent!)
– Student Samples
– Class website sample

9. • VoiceThread.com
– Free to create individual accounts (pay to create
student accounts). Add pictures and record audio
to make stories.
– Sample
• MailVu.com
– Create video messages that you email for free.
Can also get a public link of the message, but it
only lasts 1 year! (Or you can set to self-destruct!)
– $5 to buy a widget to place on your website
– Sample

10. • Voisse.com
– Create free account, record your voice online or
with your cell phone.
– Class sample
• Google Voice
– Set up free account with gmail. Choose phone
number and link to your cell phone, then select
“Do Not Disturb.” All calls go to your inbox and
can be embedded or played online.
– Call me at 617-651-0483

11. Resources that allow for
Interpretative Communication
• http://lingtlanguage.com
– Free to sample, $79 per year for unlimited use
– Record prompts or add videos/written questions,
and have students respond orally or in writing
– No registration required for the students
– Question prompts: Hola
– Video prompt: Les Schtroumpfs
– Image interpretation: Petit Nicolas

12. • Use any of the resources listed under
Presentational Communication, but give the
student something they need to respond to
first.
– For example, give students a reading and have
them record a one-minute
reaction/summary/opinion of it using an online
recording site.
– Have the students watch a video you’ve chosen
from YouTube, then react to it orally using an
online recording site.

13. Resources that allow for
Interpersonal Communication
• audioboo.fm
– A free, audio-based social network.
– Record updates about yourself from your phone
or online.
– Can message friends directly. Can be linked to
Twitter or Facebook.
– Follow me and let’s test it out: ritzforeignlang

14. Share: Online Blogs & Wikis
• Love the “embed code”!
• Email embed code as homework, you insert
on Blog/Wiki
• Student inserts embed code on a Blog/Wiki

15. Blogs
• Blogger
– French Class Blog
– Spanish Class Blog
• Wordpress
– French/Spanish Class Sample
• Why Blog?
– Audience
– Promotion

16. Wikis
• Wikispaces
– Spanish Class Sample
– French Class Sample
• PB Wiki
– Spanish Class Sample
• Why Wiki?
– Collaboration
– Projects

17. Additional Resources/Contact
• catherineritz.org
– Check “Resources: Tech Sites”
– Email me your creations and I’ll post on my blog!
(catherineritz@gmail.com)
Questions? Discussion?
Thank you!