Audacity is a free, open source software for recording and editing sounds.
Audacity is a great tool for the language classroom. As a teacher you can use aduacity to record texts, podcasts, assignments, pronounciation practice or create many other materials to enhance your classroom. You can also ask you students to use Audacity to record oral assignments and save + share them as MP3's. You can download Audacity here |
To export your audio as an MP3 you need to download a Lame encoder. Or an FFmpeg Import/Export for WMA files. We are working with MP3's.
You can download a the Lame encoder here
When you download the Lame encoder you have to make sure to save it in the Audacity folder. Do not use the default setting.
You can download a the Lame encoder here
When you download the Lame encoder you have to make sure to save it in the Audacity folder. Do not use the default setting.
The following to files are examples of a dialog. It is the same dialog that you will create in class. Both files are the same dialog; one is saved as an MP3, the other as a WAV file.
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Ordering a Meal - Dialog
- Hi. How are you doing this afternoon?
- Fine, thank you. Can I see a menu, please?
- Certainly, here you are.
- Thank you. What's today's special?
- Grilled tuna and cheese on rye.
- That sounds good. I'll have that.
- Would you like something to drink?
- Yes, I'd like a coke.
- Thank you. (returning with the food) Here you are. Enjoy your meal!
- Thank you.
- Can I get you anything else?
- No thanks. I'd like the check, please.
- That will be $6.75.
- Here you are. Keep the change!
- Thank you! Have a good day!
- Thank you. You too.
In Class Practice:
You will now create the Ordering a Meal dialog with a partner.
Please follow these steps to create the dialog in audacity:
1. Download the sound effect. Follow the steps of the bottopm of this page. (Where to download the interior bar 1 sound)
2. Change the setting to play and listen. Go to Edit > Preferences > Recording > and check the box where it says “Software Playthrough: listen while recording or monitoring new track” > click OK.
3. Next record yourself saying the lines from the dialog with the number 1. While you are recording read the text with Number 2 quietly in your head. You will have to leave a long enough pause for your partner to record the answers. Once recorded listen to the track and see if your satisfied/left long enough pauses for your partner to respond.
4. Next import the sound effect with background noises. You can find the effect on our class weebly. Modify the sound so that you can hear it quietly in the background of you recording.
5. Once you have step 3 and 4 switch computers with your partner. You will now record the lines from the dialog with the number 2. First, listen to the recording of your partner. Then push the recording button (you will be able to her the previous recording while recording yourself) and record the #2 lines. In the end listen to the whole track and see if it recorded everything.
6. Switch computer with your partner again. You are now back at your own computer. Save the file in two different ways on your USB stick. First, save it as “Save my project”. Second, export the project as an MP3 audio file.
7. At last, upload the file to your weebly account. You will have to use the option of File in the Media section (see picture). Adding an audio file to the weebly is only possible with the profession account that one has to pay for.
You will now create the Ordering a Meal dialog with a partner.
Please follow these steps to create the dialog in audacity:
1. Download the sound effect. Follow the steps of the bottopm of this page. (Where to download the interior bar 1 sound)
2. Change the setting to play and listen. Go to Edit > Preferences > Recording > and check the box where it says “Software Playthrough: listen while recording or monitoring new track” > click OK.
3. Next record yourself saying the lines from the dialog with the number 1. While you are recording read the text with Number 2 quietly in your head. You will have to leave a long enough pause for your partner to record the answers. Once recorded listen to the track and see if your satisfied/left long enough pauses for your partner to respond.
4. Next import the sound effect with background noises. You can find the effect on our class weebly. Modify the sound so that you can hear it quietly in the background of you recording.
5. Once you have step 3 and 4 switch computers with your partner. You will now record the lines from the dialog with the number 2. First, listen to the recording of your partner. Then push the recording button (you will be able to her the previous recording while recording yourself) and record the #2 lines. In the end listen to the whole track and see if it recorded everything.
6. Switch computer with your partner again. You are now back at your own computer. Save the file in two different ways on your USB stick. First, save it as “Save my project”. Second, export the project as an MP3 audio file.
7. At last, upload the file to your weebly account. You will have to use the option of File in the Media section (see picture). Adding an audio file to the weebly is only possible with the profession account that one has to pay for.
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Where to download the interior bar 1 sound:
1. create an account at http://www.freesfx.co.uk/login/ 2. Once your account is created go to search > Public Places > Interior Bar 1 (its the 6 file from the top). Download the file and use it in your MP3 as background noise. |