LEArn English & pUTONGHUA
THROUGH APPLICATIONs
Introduction
Despite the traditional way of learning a language through school lesson or tuition class, learning through e-resources is trendy in this decade. The rise of technology transforms not only the commercial but also education. Due to the pandemic that began last year, education mode in many countries changes from physical teaching to virtual teaching. Students and teachers are both parties who have benefited much from this education revolution. Teachers rely on technology to impart knowledge, and students basically learn through the internet.
​
There are tons of language learning resources in the technology world for people, but how do we choose from this array of choices? Choosing suitable applications or e-resources for learning languages can boost the learning efficiency. Firstly, we need to have a clear goal of our learning purpose and which language skills we want to improve. After all, we can start searching for the application in the apple app store or google play store. This e-portfolio will introduce three online resources that I usually use to improve my English language skills and Putonghua Skills.
Applications I used
IELTS Prep
The British Council is a powerful publisher of this IELTS Prep application. It is a worldwide organization that offers the IELTS test. This application is user-friendly because it has a clear-cut and easy operating homepage. Learners can have examination preparation in this application because it contains the practice sets of all four sections that replicate the official examination. Each section has three free exercises. However, users need to pay for it from the fourth practice onwards, but users can only use the three free practice sets.
​
For listening and reading, it has provided the answer checking after completing the exercise. Users can also find model answers for the writing section, but there is no marking for this section. The speaking part also does not provide grading. However, learners can train their timing of taking the test because this application owns the time counting as the actual examination.
Listening
Writing
Reading
Speaking
Podcast in Spotify
Here are some podcasts I usually listen to on Spotify, such as Savvy psychology, TED talks daily, Ted health and IELTS speaking for success. These four podcast’s contents are mainly in English because I hope to enhance my English listening skills and speaking skills from listening to podcasts. Environment immersion is essential in learning a language. I do not have an English conversation environment because I usually communicate with people in Chinese except for some formal occasions.
​
Furthermore, the content in the podcasts is the main criteria in my selection. When I listen to the content that I am interested in, it makes me more focused on listening. The contents help me to gain more new knowledge and inspire me with some new ideas. Due to my major study and interest field, I mainly choose the topic of psychology and health.
​
Besides, I often listen to some IELTS related podcast because I plan to take the IELTS test very soon. I can get some ideas of the answering skills in the speaking test by listening to the podcast because some of the questions are tricky and unpredictable. The IELTS podcast will provide a link with the transcript of the answer. Learners could refer to the transcript of the content for more details if needed.
普通話測試
This application is providing students with a platform for preparing for the Putonghua Proficiency Test. It imparts two free mock exams with grading. However, students need to pay for the upcoming mock result. It is not a free application for users. For me, I have a Level 2-A grade in the two mock tests, and this grade is enough for me to pass the Language Exit Requirement for graduation. As a Malaysian, I am not a native Putonghua speaker. I have my accent when speaking. Thus, I can have more practice in this application. This application provides many exercises with pinyin for each word and includes sound recording. Therefore, students can have the correct pronunciation from listening to the recording and practicing multiple times. Before having this application, I had no idea where to find the practice element before taking this Putonghua Proficiency Test. After using this application, I can have more practice in my Putonghua pronunciation.
Why these applications?
Preparation of examination
Since I need to graduate next year, there are Language Exit Requirements (LERs) for all graduate students. I am also necessary to pass these examinations in flying colour in order to continue my education paths. Using the IELTS and Putonghua learning applications elevate my intrinsic motivation to improve my English and Putonghua speaking skills. I will have a strong adherence to the learning process.
Flexible learning time and location
I recommend these applications to learn languages is because learners can choose when and where to learn flexibly. Learning is no longer under constraint in a particular space or time. Learners can listen to podcasts when waiting on a line, commuting to work or at their leisure time. Busy is not an excuse for learning a language in this modern technology world.
Low cost or even free
These applications are free to download in the apple app store or google play store. Learning through applications is not as expensive as participating in a language learning class. As the applications are free, learners have their rights to choose not to pay any money in the applications to enjoy the free features.