Schools and Education, Audio Learning and Literacy Teaching Aids

Four ways to use audio books in your classroom

Try these proven techniques to improve your students’ fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary through audio support.

1. Independent Reading

Whenever your reading programme calls for independent reading, you can supplement your print texts with unabridged audio. This method motivates reluctant readers and builds confidence, comprehension and fluency. Audiobooks are available in CD or cassette format.

3. Classroom Listening

Study is enriched when you play the audio version of the text for your students. Use an audiobook to introduce the novel, or pick out important scenes to feature. This will set the stage for classroom discussion with students who are fully engaged in the text.

2. Shared or Group Reading

Keep all your students on the same page by allowing them to follow along in the print book as they listen to the unabridged audiobook. Students can listen in small groups and work through the text together.

4. Lend Out Your Audiobooks

Send home the audiobook, or the print and audio version together, to give ESOL students and struggling readers the chance to review material as much as they like. Convert struggling readers into motivated and enthusiastic students.

I added shared listening to my classroom last year and I now have students, who before could not stay focused long enough to participate in independent reading, doing it every day! - Natalie Blackburn, English Teacher