Author: Ross Chrichton | Based on case studies by: Elsie Enanga (Cameroon), Salama Kombo Khamis (Tanzania), Teshale Alemu Gebremeskel (Ethiopia) – from Teaching and learning with technology in Sub-Saharan Africa: Case studies of practice (British Council) | Published on 9 March 2026
Question: How can we improve speaking and listening skills in large classes?
Answer: By encouraging learners to record themselves and listen back with a simple focus, both in class and at home.
Large classes make individual practice challenging and stressful for learners. Teachers often also struggle to give adequate feedback. Recordings provide a safe environment for learners to practise, reflect and improve confidence, while making feedback more manageable.
Recommendations:
In-class recordings:
- Record individual, pair or group presentations and speaking activities using a smartphone microphone or similar device.
- Play back recordings for peer and teacher feedback, highlighting good examples and corrections.
- Use rubrics to guide feedback: explain what to listen for and how to assess pronunciation, fluency or comprehension.
- Limit the number of recordings played to the whole class in one lesson (e.g. one or two in total, depending on length) so feedback stays focused and lessons keep moving.
- Rotate opportunities so all learners eventually share recordings, ensuring everyone practices and receives feedback.
- Encourage supportive, constructive feedback; remind learners that hearing their own voice can feel awkward at first.
Out-of-class recordings:
- Set up a messaging app group (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram) where learners can share recordings of themselves reading, giving a short presentation or pronouncing new words and phrases.
- Encourage them to practise, listen back and try again before sharing their recordings with you or the group.
- Use the recordings for peer reflection and self-assessment, applying the same rubrics from class.
- Teachers can provide individual feedback over time, spreading the workload and helping learners track progress.
Key Takeaways:
- Recording in and out of class gives learners more speaking and listening practice.
- Structured feedback using rubrics supports both self-assessment and peer assessment.
- Recording privately helps learners build confidence and practise at their own pace.
- Listening to themselves helps learners self-assess and improve, while also encouraging them to practise more.