Using a Dictation App for Articulation

I’ve been using this idea for a few years with my older students, but never blogged about it. First, you need to download a dictation app, such as Dragon Dictation (which is free). Next, you have your students talk into the microphone using their best sounds. It’s not foolproof, and may depend on accents, but it’s a good way to have your students practice their articulation skills in another way.

For example, the ever popular /r/. First I said “it’s raining” which it picked up just fine. Then I said it again, but used a /w/ sound instead of an /r/ sound. The app thought I said, “it’s weaning.”

Have your students practice words, phrases, sentences, etc. Have you done this before?