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| Reviewed: |
Jan 24, 2009 by World Languages Editorial Board |
| Overview: |
Audiria is a site dedicated to promoting the learning and practice of the Spanish language. It publishes a free audio file per day, along with its transcript and five exercises related to listening and reading comprehension. The files may be audio only, video, or audio and pictures. Each file is called a chapter and is classified according to difficulty; level 1 for beginners, level 2 for intermediate and level 3 for advanced learners. Audiria users can take tests, which are made up of ten questions randomly taken from published chapters. This allows the user to take a test every time he or she logs in. The site also offers a section with short loose phrases related to a general topic like the bank or a car dealership. Users may register and track their progress with the statistics tool. The resources section includes a forum that allows users to answer extra questions related to a chapter. Under the resources section, there is a multimedia area with more than 30 links to dictionaries, online translators, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation sites, as well as games. Audiria users can search for the definition of a word or the conjugation of a verb by entering the words in the utilities area boxes. Answers, however, come from third party sites. According to the site, Audiria is an official project of the UNESCO International Year [2008] of Languages. |
| Learning Goals: |
Listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills can be improved at all levels of Spanish with the wide range of categories and language levels addressed by the audio materials, transcripts, and practice activities found at this site. |
| Target Student Population: |
The target student population would be beginning to advanced college or adult learners of Spanish. The target is non-native Spanish speakers of any level, but it will work better for intermediate and advanced learners as well as native speakers of Spanish. |
| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
Learners need to have previous knowledge of the language, at least the equivalent of Novice High level according to ACTFL. |
| Type of Material: |
Podcasting--audio only, video, audio and pictures-- and comprehension quizzes. The audio files contain readings of material from different modules: grammar rules, culture, newspaper articles, radio and television programs some via youtube.com--, description of pictures, chapters from Don Quixote, sketches of daily and short scenes of life. Some of the materials were created by the team of four contributors and other materials come from media. It also provides reading comprehension exercises, randomly generated quizzes and tests, links to dictionaries, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, radio and television sites, as well as sites where learners can find practice partners. |
| Recommended Use: |
Audiria could be used as the listening section of a test or quiz, as a homework, or for independent learners. |
| Technical Requirements: |
The technical requirements are a computer, preferably with high-speed Internet connectivity, and the ability to play mp3 audio files. |
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| Strengths: |
Audiria is very well organized and it is great for teaching reading, reading out loud and listening. There is new material every day. The best materials are under the TV and pictures channels. Even though it has the script for almost every file, it does not provide a translation. About two thirds of the materials are produced by the four contributors of this site, who are Spanish native speakers. The readings from books, such as Don Quixote and Alexander Dumas La dama de las camelias are worth downloading for intermediate high and advanced students. The links under the Resources area connect users with familiar topics like grammar and games. The content and quality of the audio files and transcripts are excellent. I found the activities varied and the topics interesting. The activities modeled real-life, contextual language usage. |
| Concerns: |
Some key grammar rules are unclear or incomplete for learners whose first language is English. For example, chapter 339 explains that the imperfect tense is used 1) to express habitual actions in the past, and 2) to describe things, people, and places in the past. These two rules are accompanied by examples, but there is no comparison between the imperfect and preterite tenses. There is no explanation related to narration in the past.
The site follows the European rating scales of levels 1, 2 and 3, but it doesnt explain it anywhere. There is no syllabus or list of general topics.
According to the About us section, only one of the authors/contributors of the site is engaged in teaching Spanish to foreign students, and all of them hold degrees in sciences. |
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Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool |
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| Strengths: |
Audirias audio files are easy to use and there is a brand new chapter every day. There is no way to know what topic or type of file the chapter will contain. Independent learners or students who are interested in culture will like the videos and the radio files. The videos and tourism guidesin the culture channelare the most exciting and engaging sections of Audiria. Learners who visit the site often, or go through the chapters of a specific topic or level, will be able to connect with the new chapter because most podcasts start with a reference to the previous chapter on that topic.Students will find the combination of online audio, text, and interactive writing and speaking practice to be more engaging that what is usually found in standard text programs. |
| Concerns: |
Teachers may need to create their own materials if they want to use this site often, because after two or three chapters the practice and exercises become predictable. These materials are great to break the routine of made-for-the-book materials or to start a topic. They may work better as an extra practice than as a main source of information. The materials can be integrated into culture learning activities, but teachers need to prepare extra their own assignments based on the information of this site. The chapters presented in Audiria can be used to improve or practice listening and reading skills, and to learn more about the culture from Spain and how Spaniards see themselves. |
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Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty |
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| Strengths: |
The site has a very clean layout that loads quickly. I found the site to be well-organized, sections clearly labeled, and very easy to follow. There are categories of activities and each activity is also organized by sections: information, text (audio and written), then exercises.
The design of this site works because it does not distract the users. The areas with the information is in the center of the page at all times, except for the forum. The ads by Google do are small and located on the right column. The navigation and features are easy to learn. The distribution of the menu is simple. Users who choose to register will have a way to track the chapters they complete and will see less invasive ads. |
| Concerns: |
The design of the site is easy to navigate, but the design of the information is not since topics and levels are randomly presented. There is no way to know for example when the next reading of Don Quixote will be presented. |
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| Other Issues and Comments: |
For non-native Spanish speakers, this site may work better for practicing reading and pronunciation skills. However, native speakers and heritage speakers may benefit more by using Audiria. |
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