Mobile phones in the languages classroom
The features of a basic mobile phone do not, of course, limit themselves to use in modern languages. Other areas of the school might see uses here, too.
Diary
The reminder option on a mobile phone diary allows disorganised students not only to note down the deadline of their task but to receive a ringtone reminder at the time they envisage doing the task.
Notes
The mobile phone screen is relatively small, meaning that there is a limit to how many notes can be seen at once on screen. Using this to our advantage, we can begin to reduce the headings support which students need for speaking.
Countdown timer/Stopwatch
For timed exercises, the teacher can get one person in each group to keep time on a task by using their stopwatch or countdown. The countdown function often reaches zero with an alarm sound to mark the end of the task.
Calculator
Practise numbers by doing mobile-phone-calculator maths. Also useful for role plays when students are playing the role of shop assistant, waiter, etc.
Text messaging
For students, sending a text message will cost them money unless they have a subscription with ample ‘spare’ texts to use. However, text messages can be sent to large numbers of students (a class, for example) if the teacher knows their numbers.
Voice recording
Many phones come equipped with a voice recorder. It will record and store the audio as an .amr file which can be transferred between mobile phones by text message or Bluetooth (see Using Bluetooth). This is a great way for students to record their speaking and review it immediately from their desk, at home or outside, without the need for tape recorders or expensive PALE units. Teachers and foreign language assistants might also record vocabulary onto the phones of students who have trouble with pronunciation.
If you try using one of these functions, please tell us about it on the MFLE discussion forums.
Your good practice
MFLE regular Lynne Horn was interviewed by David Noble of the Booruch podcast. You can listen on the Booruch website (just click the 'Pod' button) as Lynne talks about how she has used mobile phones in the modern languages classroom in Tobermory, Mull. The show notes on the del.icio.us bookmarking website give all the links you need to find out more about how kids listen to free language resources on their mobiles using their PC and iTunes and reveals her future plans for exploiting some of the free communication available on most mobile phones of today. She has been doing some simple action research to see how mobile phone use has helped improve attainment in speaking, listening and, potentially in the future, writing. (The podcast lasts just 15 minutes.)