Dictogloss

Dictogloss:Collaborative writing

and correcting

M.Carmen Romero Riera

Type of activity: Dictation, also known as ‘Grammar Dictation’

Level: All levels (depending on type of text chosen)

Materials: Any short text/paragraph of your interest (see one attached)

Aim: Writing and error correction, group cooperation

M. Carmen Romero RieraDictogloss

Skills involved:

-Language of interaction: agreeing, disagreeing, suggesting, justifying opinions, etc

-Extending vocabulary related to topic

-Listening for gist and specific information

-Note-taking from key words

-Paraphrasing

-Writing a cohesive text using appropriate grammar and linking words

-Testing and refining their own grammar knowledge

-Reading, editing, refining own text and those of other groups

-Student/student cooperation

M. Carmen Romero RieraDictogloss

M. Carmen Romero RieraDictogloss

Procedure:

1. Students listen to an interesting piece of text twice:

1A. First at ordinary speed for general understanding(just listening

to it)

1B. The second time at a slightly slower pace for note-taking.

2. When you have finished, the students must try to reconstruct the meaning

of the text, although using the exact words and grammar is not important. In

other words, the meaning must be the same but the grammar can be their

own.

3. In groups of three-five they reconstruct the story on transparencies or A3

pieces of paper.

4. Afterwards, the materials are fixed on the walls, and all the groups go round,

collaboratively correcting mistakes of form and meaning.

Please, note:

- Pre-teach any vocabulary if it is essential for the main meaning.

-The second time you dictate:

- Chunk the text into short phrases or ‘meaning chunks’.

- The speed depends on the level and difficulty of the text, but must be fast enough to prevent the students writing every word.

- Peers correction involves correcting:

-Content (facts)

-Accuracy of form (structure, spelling and punctuation)

-At the end of the activity:

-Give some feedback on their task achievement.

-Note any common errors.

- You may want to have a follow-on activity (extension task)

M. Carmen Romero RieraDictogloss

Photogallery

Dictogloss M. Carmen Romero Riera

Step 4:

REVISING AND CORRECTING

M. Carmen Romero RieraDictogloss

Example 1: FINAL VERSION, Text ‘Middle-children’

M. Carmen Romero RieraDictogloss

Example 2:

FINAL VERSION, Text ‘Middle-children’