Communication is the key in language learning and speech is possibly the most commonly used way of doing this. 

Keeping a record of speaking is made simpler by using sound recording.  Whether using a digital recording device such as a voice recorder to record opinions, or a microphone and a tool like Garageband or Audacity to edit speech and sound together, sound recording can be used in many ways.

It can be an assessment tool with pupils recording and rerecording themselves enabling later teacher and peer comments; as a motivational tool when linked with an online site like Voki, or when simple podcasts are published online for a wider audience. Teachers can also use it to record sound files for less confident colleagues to use.

Questions

-How might you manage recording pupils' speaking?

-Will pupils find a microphone more or less intimidating than a teacher?

-What about storing their recordings?

Activity

The teacher could pose a question about free time activities and pupils could respond to the question, recording their answer using a voice recorder or an online application and microphone.

Pupils could then replay their recordings, looking for ways to improve, perhaps asking a friend for their comments. They could then record an improved version.