Talking Avatar for ESL Teaching

Language learning must be fun for the students. If language teachers keep sticking to traditional methods, listening, repeating and digital flash cards learners may lose interest. Now, technology made language learning fascinating.

ESL teachers may use talking avatar to bring change in the ESL classrooms. I know many language teachers are using talking avatar  because talking avatar has different language options. The avatar is great for the shy students to encourage them, to talk behind a mask.

Teachers and students can give their character a voice by using one of three methods: text to speech, recording by microphone, or uploading their own pre-recording audio file. There are many speaking avatar tools  available online for free. ESL teachers may introduce it to the students. These are  some famous avatar, Voki.com , Blabberize.com, Yaklt kids, Chatterpix kids, Tellagami, and Buddypro.

ESL teachers may ask students to record themselves speaking English, and then she/he can play it for the class on a computer using their avatar. ESL students may observe their pronunciation with talking avatar. The students may use Text- to speech mode, and students may write a sentence then avatar could speak for them.

The talking avatar is also available on mobile phones for free. ESL students may practice at home, record their speaking and compare pronunciation. The talking avatar brings fun into the classrooms and it give students voice and face. The talking avatar motivates  students to practice, it is a great technology to build skills in language. 

By: Aayesha Qureshi