Phone Dictation

Purpose:  a basic dictation activity to practice listening and spelling over the phone

Preparation Time:  None

Materials Needed:  phone, short list of sentences  

Procedure:

1. Compile a list of sentences. For lower level learners, you may only have 2-3 simple sentences. For higher level learners, you may have 5-6 sentences. Try to use vocabulary that the learners are already mostly familiar with.
2. Call the learner, and tell them that you are going to practice writing.
3. Ask the learner to get out a paper and pencil.
4. Slowly dictate the pre-selected sentences to the learner, saying the number of each sentence. You may need to repeat the sentences multiple times and spell words as requested.
5. When you are finished, ask the learner to read the sentences back to you. Ask how to spell certain words to check their spelling.
6. If possible, have the learner send you a picture of their writing. You can send them feedback over a message (remember that positive feedback is also very important!) and send them a picture or a text of the sentences so that they can also practice checking their own work.