Technology for languages | Key Stage 4 resources
A Languages ICT Focus on document is currently being developed for each of the ICT listed below (see the example for download next to Presentation software). Each document contains a set of ideas for using a particular ICT in language teaching and learning, ranging from activities suitable for early language learners through to those at advanced level.
All
downloadable documents on this page are in Adobe Acrobat format. You
need Acrobat Reader to be able to read these files. If you do not have
this reader, you can obtain it free of charge from the Adobe Acrobat
website. To do this, click on the logo on the right.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W |X |Y |Z
Authoring software for resource creation
Authoring software enables you to produce interactive exercises, incorporating
text, graphics, sound or video and various feedback options. Some software
needs to be downloaded onto a computer, other software requires you
to create your exercises online. Activities include multiple choice,
text-picture-sound matching and gap fill, which can be suitable for
both whole class teaching and pupil independent work on computers. Several
packages are available and are easy to master. See also Multimedia
resources.
Download
the Focus on authoring software sheet for some ideas to get started!
Download the What are authoring tools in MFL? sheet for background
information on Authoring tools.
Communicating online
The Internet offers a range of communication technologies for pupils
to communicate with peers both at home and abroad, such as text messaging,
text chat, notice boards and audio- or video-conferencing. Security
issues need to be carefully taken into account, but these facilities
can be very useful for supporting existing projects, encouraging collaboration
and developing spontaneous communication skills. See also Video-conferencing
and Email communication.
Download
the Focus on text-based
communication sheet for some ideas to get started!
Download
the Focus
on audio- and video-based communication sheet for some ideas to
get started!
Download the What are online notice boards in MFL? sheet for background
information on online notice boards.
Download the What is Text Chat in MFL? sheet for background information on
text chat.
Download the What is web based video conferencing? sheet for background
information on web based video conferencing.
Data-processing
Data-processing software such as Microsoft Access allows you to analyse text and number-based data very quickly. Setting the task to pupils of creating a datafile can provide a real purpose for oral work on a survey or questionnaire, as well as developing their ICT skills. The interrogation of an existing database offers opportunities for a range of reading, writing and further oral activities.
Desktop publishing
Desktop publishing software such as Microsoft Publisher enables you and your pupils to produce professional-looking documents, such as newsletters, brochures, flyers and banners. Clip art, images, sound and even video can be inserted, enabling pupils to work on linguistic tasks in a creative, stimulating and multimedia environment, with high-quality results. Tasks can be set for both group or individual work and cross-curricular projects.
Download the Focus on desktop publishing sheet for some ideas to get started!
Download the What is Desktop Publishing in MFL? sheet for background information
on Desktop publishing.
Digital audio
Digital voice recordings can easily be created in Windows Sound Recorder or more sophisticated sound editing software, enabling you to develop multi-sensory learning materials. Pupils can make their own recordings to produce rewarding multimedia work. Target language news and radio channels can be accessed live via the Internet. Audio learning materials can be manipulated by pupils working independently at their own pace in computer-based language laboratories.
Download the What are MP3 Files for MFL? sheet for background information on
MP3 files.
Digital still cameras
Digital photos can be used to enhance the impact of a range of teaching resources, such as PowerPoint presentations, interactive whiteboard pages, electronic worksheets and web pages. Pupils can also take their own photos to integrate into target language creative projects for publication, presentation or exchange.
Digital video
Digital video clips in the target language can easily be inserted into electronic documents, creating stimulating, multi-sensory and culturally informative materials for whole class teaching and independent learning. Planning, filming and editing digital video footage, including the insertion of sub-titles and sound track, can be the focus of very creative and motivating pupil-centred projects.
Download the What is digital video in MFL? sheet for background information on
digital video.
Email communication
Email is a cheap, fast, informal and easy-to-use method of written communication with a real audience, giving pupils time to draft and redraft messages until satisfied and confident with the content. Incoming target language messages give pupils motivating opportunities to cope with reading unknown language and materials such as digital photos and voice recordings can also be exchanged as attachments.
Download the Focus on email sheet for some ideas to get started!
Excel (see Spreadsheets)
Interactive whiteboard technology
An interactive whiteboard such as a Promethean ACTIVBoard or Smart Board allows you to display the wide range of software and electronic resources available on your computer and offers its own integrated software giving enhanced opportunities for pupil interaction in whole class teaching. Additional facilities such as electronic slates or voting hand-sets can also be used.
Internet-based materials
Both authentic websites and those created for language learning offer huge choice to you and pupils for whole class teaching, independent learning and the preparation of teaching materials. You can set up a wide range of motivating activities supporting all four skills and all topic areas. See Email and Communicating online for communication via the Internet.
Multimedia resources
Multimedia resources, including CD ROMs, DVD ROMs and interactive activities available online or created by you, can incorporate combinations of text, sound, graphics and video. They allow pupils to interact with material on screen and receive instant feedback, developing all four language skills through quiz-based activities and even speech recording. They can be used for both independent work and whole class teaching. See Authoring Software if you want to create your own interactive exercises.
Download the What are DVDs for MFL teaching and learning? sheet for background information on DVDs.
PowerPoint (see Presentation software)
Presentation software
Presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint offers you the potential to use colour, pictures, symbols, sound, written support and movement to support more inclusive target language teaching and interaction with the whole class. Pupils can also benefit from creating their own target language presentations for consolidating understanding or oral presentation practice.
Download
the Focus on PowerPoint
sheet for some ideas to get started!
Download the What are electronic flashcards in PowerPoint? sheet for background information on electronic flashcards.
Publisher
Spreadsheets
Spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel allows pupils to analyse number-based
data very quickly and to make calculations, on topics such as shopping,
pocket money or even the height of pupils in the class. The creation
of a spreadsheet can provide a real purpose for oral and/or research-based
surveys, as well as developing cross-curricular ICT and Maths skills.
The analysis phase offers opportunities for a range of reading, writing
and further oral activities in the target language.
Download
the Focus on spreadsheets sheet for some ideas to get started!
Download the What are spreadsheets in MFL? sheet for background information on spreadsheets.
Video-conferencing
Video-conferencing via a dedicated group system enables pupils to communicate
visually and orally with native speakers, both at home and abroad. It
enables pupils to use language for real purposes and develops their
spontaneous communication skills and cultural awareness. Its use can
be combined to great effect with other communication technologies, such
as email, and the preparation for and participation in a conference
helps to develop all four language skills. See Communicating
online for video conferencing across the web.
Web page creation
Web pages are an attractive and versatile medium for presenting, organising and communicating information, on the Internet or offline. Individual pages or interlinking sets of pages are fairly easy to construct with dedicated packages or generic software such as Microsoft Word. Pupils can use target language text, images, sound and video in creative and imaginative ways, as independent or group work.
Download the What is Web Page Creation in MFL? sheet for background information
on web page creation.
Word-processing and text manipulation
Word-processing software such as Microsoft Word enables you to create high-quality and flexible teaching resources and pupils to manipulate text quickly and neatly, focusing on language over laborious handwriting. Writing activities on the computer can encourage pupils to try out new language and can be supported with colour, images and even sound. Programmes such as Fun with Texts offers the additional benefit of immediate feedback, see also Authoring software.
Download the What are electronic worksheets in MFL? sheet for background
information on electronic worksheets.
Download the What are Talking Word Processors in MFL? sheet for background
information on talking word processors.
