Do You Dictate?
Written by Chris Cotter
Dictation. Many view the activity as boring, lacking communicative elements, and with little enough value to offset the negative aspects. However, dictation can be used flexibly enough in the classroom, that elements can effectively incorporate the activity.
Consider the following:
1: Dictation can provide some example sentences with the target language. Additional examples mean students are better able to see the language pattern. They then are better able to use the target language in original sentences.
2: The teacher can read aloud a short story (five to ten sentences) for listening and discussion among groups. This provides an example narrative, demonstrating how ideas can be connected.
3: The teacher can read aloud several comprehension questions for an article. This serves as an alternative idea to providing a handout with questions.
4: Students can do dictation exercises at home. They can thus improve familiarity with grammar, vocabulary, phrases, and any weaknesses unique to their L1.