Dictogloss is a language learning activity that can be used in an English class to improve listening, note-taking, and writing skills. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use Dictogloss in your English class:
Choose a Text: Select a short text that is suitable for the proficiency level of your students. It could be a news article, a dialogue, a story, or any other engaging text.
Introduce the Topic: Provide some background information about the topic of the text and activate your students' prior knowledge. This will help them understand the context and make predictions about the content.
Pre-Listening Activity: Before playing the audio or reading the text, engage your students in a pre-listening discussion or activity. For example, you could show them some pictures related to the topic or ask them to brainstorm ideas based on a few keywords.
First Listening/Reading: Read the text aloud or play the audio for your students just once. They should focus on listening or reading for overall comprehension without taking notes.
Group Work: Divide your students into small groups of 3-4 members. Each group will work collaboratively to reconstruct the text based on their collective understanding.
Note-Taking: Give the groups a specific amount of time to discuss and take notes on what they remember from the text. Encourage them to focus on the main ideas, key vocabulary, sentence structures, and any other details they can recall.
Reconstruction: After the note-taking period, ask each group to work together to reconstruct the text as accurately as possible. They can use their collective notes to piece together the content and structure of the text.
Comparison and Correction: Once the groups have completed their reconstructions, have them compare their versions with the original text. This can be done through a whole-class discussion or by providing the original text for them to compare and correct their own versions.
Second Listening/Reading: Play the audio or read the text again, allowing your students to compare their reconstructions with the original. This step helps them identify any gaps in their understanding and reinforces their comprehension of the text.
Reflection and Discussion: Finally, engage your students in a reflection and discussion about the activity. Ask them about the challenges they faced, the strategies they used, and what they learned from the process. Encourage them to share their experiences and offer feedback to one another.
Dictogloss is a dynamic activity that promotes active listening, critical thinking, collaboration, and language production. By engaging in the reconstructive process, students get the opportunity to analyse language patterns and structures, expand their vocabulary, and improve their overall language proficiency.