Dictations for Discussion

Overview

Dictations for Discussion is an intermediate-to-advanced-level text intended to improve the listening and speaking skills of ESL students. Reading and writing are also reinforced, along with progress in vocabulary and grammar. This text provides a wide variety of dictations, from authentic materials that include provocative news items, problems to solve, and decisions to make. The units are designed to stand alone so that teachers can pick and choose which dictations meet the needs, interests, and levels of their students. Each unit begins with a short introduction that provides a background and context for the dictation. The central focus of the unit is a dictation activity followed by a discussion section. The discussions can take place in pairs or small groups. The unit ends with a follow-up activity which is intended to explore the topic further through writing, research, and speaking activities. This text includes several cooperative learning activities.

The strategy in this book is similar to Basic Dictations, also by De Filippo and Sadow, although this book is for more advanced students. It also has five types of dictations rather than the four found in the Basic Dictations book.p>

The five types of dictations are:

- Partial/Cloze Dictations

- Pair Dictations

- Dictogloss Dictations

- Prediction Dictations

- Note Taking Dictations

An (optional) audio program is available for download. Visit ProLinguaLearning.com for details.

Author Biography

Catherine Sadow, co-author (along with Judy DeFilippo) of Interactive Dictations, taught at Northeastern University for 24 years has co--authored of 7 ESL books. Students from beginning to advanced levels often told her that "listening" was the most difficult problem for them in trying to speak English. With that challenge in mind, from 1987 ("Talk Radio") to 2013 ("Dictations for Discussion") Catherine created effective and interesting listening activities which resulted in books for all levels.

Catherine began her ESL career at Brookline, MA Adult Education while completing an MA in TESL at Boston University. Although officially retired, she continues to teach ESL classes as a volunteer in Brookline to adults studying English.