The Joys of Dictation

Call me old fashioned, but I love using a good dictation lesson with my adult learners. (I think the students love it, too.) I would argue that dictation is one of the greatest activities to encompass all four language skills: Students listen to the words. Students speak for clarification. Students write the words. Students read to self-check. Dictation can be used as a quick check on student progress. The instructor can “gain insight into the strengths and weaknesses of each student,” (Alkire, 2002) and plan subsequent lessons accordingly.

• paper
• pencils

Introduce teachers and students to the value of dictation.

Students will improve listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills.

Alkire, S. (2002). Dictation as a Language Learning Device. The Internet TESL Journal, 8(3). Retrieved from http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Alkire-Dictation.html.

Bloom B. S. (ed.) (1956) Taxonomy of educational objectives, the classification of educational goals – Handbook I: Cognitive Domain. New York: McKay.

Ewing, K., & Huguelet, B. (2009). The English of Math—It’s not just numbers! In Rilling, S., & Dantas-Whitney, M. (Eds.), Authenticity in the Language Classroom and Beyond: Adult Learners (71–83). Alexandria, VA: TESOL.