Weaving a Bond between the Teacher and the Taught: Using ‘Voice Thread’ as Digital App for ESL Learners

Abstract

Education in this digitalized world has witnessed many a roller coaster rides. The revolution brought about by digital technology has affected the education sector to completely change the face of conventional teaching and learning. With the spate in the use of digital apps in the academic arena, the self-paced and personalized learning and the concept of teachers as ‘new learners’ has apparently challenged the role of both the teacher and the taught. Furthermore, the stage set for ‘online’ teaching during COVID 19 pandemic acted as a catalyst which resulted post- COVID in innovative strategies in teaching like blended learning, hybrid learning etc. Mobile phones, laptops and other similar devices became connecting links between the teachers and learners even outside the classroom. Learners of English as second language were exposed to digital apps to enhance their language skills, but lacked the expertise for deriving maximum benefit. The challenge for teachers put them in the category of ‘new learners’ in using these apps for effective teaching learning environment.
In addition to the problems faced by second language learners to express their thoughts and ideas in speech, the challenge of teaching effective oral communication has always been a matter of concern for the teachers. In the Indian scenario, the level of learners is so varied and diverse that creating a common teaching platform becomes difficult. Also, learning gets hampered due to students’ anxiety, hesitancy and lack of interaction. ‘Voice Thread’ as a digital app presents flexibility features which are student centered and learner friendly. Besides the learners using the app to record, upload and share their audios, the teachers could also become a connecting link to motivate their efforts and improve and enhance their speaking skills. The paper is an attempt to bring Voice thread to be effectively used in Indian classrooms for teaching effective oral communication.