Voscreen
INTRODUCTION
We all know that to master any skill, we must basically breathe the language itself in order to grasp at least the sense of it. However, no matter how hard we try, we need time and plenty of practice.
In my opinion, the most challenging skill to acquire while learning a language is understanding the spoken message. Students, especially Second or Multiple Language Learners, often know grammatical structures or how to translate a specific word into their mother tongue, yet, when facing real situations or more challenging conversations, it is difficult for them to follow. Written language can be associated with their perception of the meaning, in-head pronunciation, translations, and cultural background. Therefore, this is the skill they should work on the most in order to feel confident and at ease when talking to someone.
WHAT IS IT?
Voscreen is an engaging, and most importantly, FREE app and a platform to work on listening comprehension. In a nutshell, it is a type of interactive game, in which you gain points for understanding well the spoken message. It presents us with a video clip from a movie, series, documentary, you name it, and two options for the paraphrased version of the dialogue/message or its translation. At this point, you can select whether you want to see subtitles or not. There is a timer to make it more challenging since the faster the answer, the more points you get.
Once you have signed up, you can start playing. A few things can be adjusted, like the language, level, grammar we want to practice, and the length of the message. The category “voKids” allows us to block unwanted or inappropriate age content, and it has three levels. There is an option of creating your collections of the clips or expressions that you like or even subscribing to existing ones.
IS IT USEFUL?
PROS:
It’s FREE.
It requires no prep time, and it is easy to use.
You can adapt it to level and age.
It’s perfect to practice paraphrasing.
You can create groups and playlists and invite people to join them.
You can track students’ progress.
There are a lot of languages to choose from.
It can be used on a phone or a tablet as there is an app.
You can use it in class or at home.
CONS:
You can’t control or choose the content they see unless you create a playlist.
There is no option to turn the subtitles off so every time you watch a clip, you have to decide whether you want them or not.
HOW DO I USE IT IN MY ESL CLASSROOM?
IN CLASS:
PARAPHRASE IT (LEVELS B2-C2)
No prep.
Select the level, or the grammatical structure you want to focus on.
Put students into pairs.
Play a clip and tell them to paraphrase what they have heard by writing it down.
They should compare their ideas with their classmates and choose the best version.
Then check the two options on Voscreen. Remember to set English as the main language and not to show subtitles, at least at first.
It is a great way to practice key word transformation exercise, which appears on the Cambridge exams (FCE, CAE, CPE), in a more entertaining way.
GAME (KIDS & A1-B1)
No prep.
Put students into pairs.
In every pair, there should be a student A and B.
Explain that the option on the left of the paraphrased sentences is A and the one on the right is B.
Select the grammar point you want to practice or the level.
Play the clip. Students have to stand up accordingly to the option that they think is correct. If they believe the answer on the left is correct, then student A in the pair stands up, if it is the one on the right, then student B.
Give the first pair who chooses the answer correctly 5 points. The rest should get 1 point for the right response.
PHRASAL VERBS (ALL LEVELS)
Low prep.
Before starting the class, watch the clips from the phrasal verbs compilation and create your playlist. Take a look at mine --> here.
Prepare a worksheet, or tell them to copy the phrasal verbs from the board. Check my worksheet out --> here.
Tell students to think of the meaning of the phrasal verb and write the ones they are familiar with.
Play the first clip but don’t show the paraphrased sentences yet. It should help them figure out what the phrasal verb means.
Then click on the option of subtitles and all together select the correct answer.
Find the exact word that refers to the phrasal verb. Students write it down if it’s different from the one they have already written.
REPORTED SPEECH (LEVELS B1-C2)
Depending on the level, select the clips which are shorter or longer from the voRythm section.
Play the clip and tell the students to write what the person/character said using reported speech.
Then work on the meaning and paraphrase the sentence.
You can turn it into a Chinese Whispers game with higher-level groups, where only one person sees and hears the message and has to use reported speech when whispering it to the next person.
The last person has to say the sentence aloud and select the correct option on Voscreen.
AT HOME:
ASSIGNED GROUPS AND PLAYLISTS (ALL LEVELS)
You, as a teacher, sign up and create an observation group.
Invite your students by sharing the link, sending an email, etc.
Once your students join the group, you can see their progress: what they did, at what level, or how many mistakes they made.
You can as well share with them a previously prepared playlist so that they practice a specific grammatical structure or vocabulary.
BOTTOM LINE:
If you are looking for a way to boost students listening comprehension, Voscreen is an excellent option. Not only is it a great app to help learners get some practice outside the classroom, but also it allows you to check their progress, assign clips and add some low-prep diversity to your lessons.
Check their website and let me know what you think. Maybe you have some ideas on how to implement it in your classroom.
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