You’ll learn some ways to use technology for self-study so that you can improve your English without paying for an expensive language course abroad or reading boring grammar books.

Joe Dale is an independent languages consultant specialising in how technology can enhance language learning.

VOCABULARY
a potpourri – a mixture (traditionally of dried flowers, herbs and spices) “My accent is a potpourri of different accents I picked up because I lived in many different places”.

to cram – study intensively over a short period of time “Don’t cram your English practice into a 3-hour block. Spread it out over the week. Little and often.”

to be going down a storm – to become very popular, be enthusiastically received by an audience. “Immersive readers have been going down a storm.”

hand on heart – to be honest, honestly. Being completely truthful and sincere.

“It’s a real boon for language learners.” A real boon – something which makes life easier or better.

“This technology has come on leaps and bounds in recent years.” – It’s improved very quickly.

good to go – prepared and ready to leave or start something. You might hear, for example, “Are you good to go? Can we leave now?” or “Just open the voice recorder, hit ‘record’ and you’re good to go.”

to go old school – to do something like it used to be done, but with pride (Joe sometimes uses pen and paper (old school) then uses voice to text, voice typing to type up his notes in Word or Google docs.

flashcards – cards containing a small amount of information. Teachers use them in the classroom. Word one one side (car, taxi) and a picture on the back.

to spin – to turn or move around quickly. “To spin a wheel” Like in the fruit machines you find in bars and casinos.

Joe lives on the Isle of Wight

We’re going to talk about how you can you use technology to help you improve your English for self-study.

Joe really likes the Quizlet app for self-study.
He also recommends Quizzes. It’s a great app for language teachers to use with their students.
Joe also mentions Kahoot! which is a popular app among teachers and students.

1.Immersive reader (built into Microsoft tools, Chrome extension and available via the Microsoft Lens.
What is an immersive reader and how can it help language learners?

2. Voice recorders

Vocaroo is a really easy-to-use web-based voice recorder:

Voice Record Pro
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.bejbej.voicerecordpro&hl=en&gl=US

IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/voice-record-pro/id546983235

RecForge II
Android only: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dje073.android.modernrecforge&hl=en&gl=US

Online Voice Recorder (similar to Vocaroo): https://online-voice-recorder.com/

3. Voice to text Voice typing in Google Docs, Dictate in Word and Dictation on iOS

4. Flashcard creation with Flippity

Flippity is more versatile and has more features than Anki

Joe recommends:

• Flippity Randomiser

Screen recording software:
https://www.screencastify.com/
https://www.loom.com/
https://screencast-o-matic.com/

• Flippity Manipulatives

Mac screenshot: Command-shift-4
Windows screenshot: Snipping Tool or the new Snip and Sketch
Google extension: Quick Share Screenshot
Use Vocaroo for audio

• Flippity Snowman (like hangman, but not as violent!)
• Flippity Quiz Show (a good game for revision)

5. Creating your own podcast
If you want to see an example of the power of podcasting for improving your English, listen to the episode with Daniel Goodson: https://inglespodcast.com/437

How much does it cost to start a podcast?

You can start at no cost whatsoever.

Recommended podcast hosting
Anchor (free)

Libsyn Blubrry Podbean Buzzsprout (paid)

Recommended microphones
ATR 2100X
Samson 2QU

Recommended audio editing software
Audacity (free)

What are the first steps in creating and launching a podcast?

Make a list for your first 20 episodes (For example, trekking in the countryside: 1. clothes, 2. route planning, 3. groups to join-clubs and associations, 4. best rucksack and waterbottle etc)
Are you podcasting as you’re walking to get the ambient noise of the birds and the countryside?

If you can only think of 3 episode topics, have you chosen the best subject to podcast about?

What are you passionate about?
Why would people listen to you? – Everyone has their own personality and views and opinions. You are unique!

How can creating a podcast help your fluency?
Vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, fluency, and interviewing other people.

If you are an English teacher, why not use podcasting in the classroom as a group activity?
Advantages: Planning in groups, peer-correction, generating vocabulary, collaborating on episode notes, recording-re-recording, listening to the podcasts of other groups. Real-life task! But you need to know what you’re doing and which tools to use.

Joe’s podcast course: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/podcasting-masterclass-with-joe-dale-10th-january-7th-february-2023-tickets-484027548427

How you can contact Joe and follow him on social media
TWITTER https://twitter.com/joedale
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-dale-07338a13
joedale100 on YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@joedale

…and now it’s your turn to practise your English.
Send us a voice message. https://www.speakpipe.com/inglespodcast
Send us an email with a comment or question to [email protected] or [email protected]

This podcast is sponsored, in part, by mansionIngles.com. Visit the online store: https://store.mansioningles.net/

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Welcome to our new Patreon supporters who have joined us this month:
Concha De la Calle
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The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called ‘See You Later’