Task3 Oral Training

Task three is designed as an oral training task. The main focus of task three is to enable learners to become more used to speaking during conversations. Learners of a foreign languages often have difficulties speaking the language because they are not used to spontaneous responses, and instead rely on a reading a script. The task is designed so that learners can develop their oral skills by speaking spontaneously instead of relying on a pre-written script. The task is split into three parts to allow learners to progress step by step.

The first part of the task prompts the learner to decide on a location or place to introduce. Then the learner is to brainstorm vocabulary that can be used in describing the location. This helps the learner in that the vocabulary can act as a reference and reminder of the topic, and allows the speaker to focus on the development of sentences to introduce and describe the location.

The second part of the task involves the user recording either a video file or a sound file and uploading it online so the file can be shared with other learners. This will allow other learners to comment on the introduction and give peer feedback.
The third part of the task allows learners to communicate with a peer by introducing a location or place in English. This task enables learners to practice their oral skills by speaking with one another through the introduction of various places.

The design of the task is focused on oral training, akin to giving a speech after given a random topic. However, what is different is that by asking the learners to list a vocabulary, they can use the vocabulary as a means to describe the location and allow them to focus more on the development of sentences instead of deciding on what word to use. Because this is an online task, there exists difficulties as communicating orally online is more difficult and more insufficient than in a face to face situation. The effectiveness of oral training also becomes less effective. For example, if a learner posts a video or sound file online for other learners to give feedback, there will be a longer lapse of time than if the two learners were face to face. Using a computer as a platform also reduces the user’s concentration as there are more distractions, either programs, chats, or games, that will reduce the learner’s focus.