Article Review
Description:
This adaptation of the common ‘classroom presentations’ activity makes the most of Language Lab technology. Before class, students are asked to read and summarize an article in the target language (selected by student or instructor), and to prepare a (time-limited) presentation of their article. In the lab, they present to one another in pairs or small groups, taking turns presenting and listening. When students are listening, they are responsible for asking follow-up questions after the presentation. The instructor can use random pairing/grouping to allow the students to work with different classmates for short intervals. Presentations can be recorded for evaluation.
Why do a presentation in the Lab?
Lab technology allows students to present simultaneously, and allows for more interaction among presenters and audience, while also recording the presentations for review by the instructor. Presenters also have more opportunities to improve their presentation style, since they present more than once. Instructors can easily move from one group to the next via the Virtuoso software, to listen and keep all on-task.
Modifications:
Student presenters and listeners can evaluate one another (the presenters can evaluate their audience’s active listening participation and follow-up questions). This activity could be done with half the class presenting on a particular day, and the other half on a later day in the semester. This activity can also be done with the student presenting to the entire class with a follow-up time for questions and group discussion using the SANS software.