Note:

The dictation exercise is a task that requires many different language skills. It requires listening comprehension skills, skills in producing the correct grammar, and spelling and punctuation skills, to mention a few. The dictation exercise is very versatile in how it can be used. It can be used as a self-instructional tool for out-of-class assignments or as a classroom exercise. The key to the effective dictation exercise is in the selection of the passage. The passage must be hard enough so that the students cannot do it without knowing the language of the passage but easy enough so that the student can comprehend the passage.

Preparation:

The length and difficulty of the passage is dependent upon the students. The entire exercise should require only about ten to fifteen minutes to complete. Normally the passage for beginning level can be from 30 to 50 words long while those for an intermediate group should be from 75 to 100 words in length.

The teacher can read the passage to the class directly, but experience has shown that it is better to have it recorded. The recording should be done in the following way:

1) Record instructions telling the student that the passage will be read three times. The first time the entire passage will be read one phrase at a time with pauses long enough for the student to write the phrase. The student should listen and write. The second time it is to be read at normal speed. The third time the passage will be read again in its entirety and the students may check their work.

2) Record the passage as described above. The length of the pause between each phrase should be determined by the teacher actually writing the phrase and then allowing a few additional seconds for the student.

Teaching:

Step 2: Hand out a copy of the dictation exercise and have students check their work.

(You may use an overhead if you cannot provide individual copies)

Step 4: Ask comprehension questions.