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Audacity: recording for language practice

Audacity is a free audio recording program available for download. There is also an MP3 encoder that allows it to export as MP3 for posting online.

French students learned how to record and listen to themselves, as well as to save in multiple formats. Students liked it so much! There was so much giggling and sharing of recordings. One student squealed, "this is my favorite new toy!" They loved to listen to each other, while some liked the privacy of speaking only to the computer not to the class.

We had students email their mp3 files to Annie, so she could listen and give pointers. Both students and teachers see the potential for practicing pronunciation and accent.

Also, practicing audio recording on the computer is a way to move towards taking the AP exam on computer rather than tape recorder.

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