Teaching Strategies
Dictogloss
How to use Dictogloss
Choose a text that suits the level
of the learners. Beginners - 3 to 4 sentences; intermediate - 6 to 8
sentences; advanced - 8 to 12 sentences). Within one class, different language levels can be catered for by using texts on the same topic at different levels. For example, one group could work with a recorded text.
Dictogloss has four stages:
- Preparation - introduce the topic, the
language focus and the key vocabulary.
- Dictation - read the text at a speed a little bit slower than
native speaker speed. Read the text again at native speaker speed and
on the second reading students individually make
very brief notes (sentence fragments) on main ideas. Remember
that the purpose is to get the main ideas, not every word exactly as
it appears in the text, so do not read too slowly.
- Reconstruction - the students work in pairs and then fours
to compare notes and write a shared version of the text, editing for
accurate punctuation, spelling and inclusion of the main ideas.
- Analysis and correction - the students compare reconstructions
with other groups and with the original. Discuss the differences.
Dictogloss takes about 1 hour if done carefully.
For further information on dictogloss, see Wajnryb, R. (1990).
Resource Books for Teachers: Grammar Dictation. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
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The Benefits of Dictogloss
See:
