The website provides excellent easy-to-use English listening activities that can be used by both English teachers and learners. There are five collections of listening activities based on a variety of topics: general listening quizzes, listening quizzes for academic purposes, 20-minute ESL vocabulary lessons, language learning and life tips, and long conversations with Realvideo. There are different levels of difficulty to choose from. The website also offer tips on pre-listening and follow-up activities, which can be used in other activities in the same teaching unit.
Type of Material:
Listening resources and activities
Recommended Uses:
Independent study/assignments
Technical Requirements:
Media player
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Improve listening skills
Target Student Population:
Learners of ESL and EFL
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Basic English
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The website offers a wide range of topics from student life to world news stories. Three different levels of listening difficulties give users choices of the length and depth of the conversations. All listening activities come with scripts and related exercises. The conversations in the audio files are authentic. Extra links to other ESL websites are available on the website.
Concerns:
There is no interaction on the website such as forum or chat. Although the collection of listening materials is large, it would be nicer if it allowed website users to contribute to the collection. An extra link to a dictionary website is also recommended.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The website is a useful teaching resource to both teachers and students. It helps learners to improve English listening skills. The listening activities can be easily integrated in various teaching units. The guiding questions in each listening activity can also be used in other interactive activities.
Concerns:
The listening materials on the website are not updated from time to time. The phrases and expressions can be out-dated after a while.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The website has a nice combination of colors. The screens are easy to read. The links are easy to follow and navigate. The quality of audio files is clear without background noise. Each listening activity has three parts that are clearly presented. Links to guidance on using the website is available in an obvious location.
Concerns:
As much as it is easy to navigate, the website has too many advertisements, which may distract usersÂ’ attention.
Other Issues and Comments:
None
Creative Commons:
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