TESOL CALL Interest Section

Software List

Deborah Healey, Editor

Speaking

Business English: Meetings

Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: Encomium Publications
Approximate single-unit price: 95
Purchase options: lab, network
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-8
Special use: business
Description: Video-based lessons demonstrating language and practices of authentic business meetings. Learners practice business meeting communication skills, verbal and nonverbal, as well as working on vocabulary and comprehension activities. Includes Audio scripts for the videos, clickable words and pictures, and text and audio definitions. North American English.

CGEA CD-ROM, The

Machine: Win
Publisher: Protea Textware
Approximate single-unit price: 95
Purchase options: home version (cheaper); lab, site
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-8
Description: Teaches and tests a wide range of skills covering all Learning Outcomes at Levels 2, 3 and 4 of the Reading and Writing, Oral Communication and Numeracy and Mathematics Streams of the Australian CGEA test. Australian English. Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista.

Dynamic Business English

Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: DynEd International
Purchase options: contact publisher
Level: Beginning, intermediate For: All but K-6
Special use: Bilingual (Jap, Fr, Sp, Port), business
Description: Formerly known as Interactive Business English. Presented in a similar format to Dynamic English for ESL, this listening-based business English course on 6 CD-ROMs offers the listening, speaking, reading, and critical thinking skills for the workplace/international business situation. The topics are Company History, Job History, Manufacturing and Trade, Product Comparisons, Overseas Assignment, and Future Consequences. This content-based program begins with a Presentation during which the student answers periodic listening comprehension questions. These questions reinforce the vocabulary, language concepts, and structure, while giving the students repeated opportunities to respond. The feedback includes an automated 'shuffler level' which adjusts the level of difficulty of the questions according to the learner's response. The Question Practice gives the student practice in question formation. Quantitative English, Dictations, the Verb Grid, and Grammar Fill-In test the student's knowledge. The program includes voice recording capability for student practice. Mac and Windows. Individual CDs (one topic each) can be purchased separately. Pricing options include per-student-use cost. Contact the publisher for details.

English by the Numbers

Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: DynEd International
Purchase options: contact publisher
Level: Intermediate For: Adult, HE
Special use: Business, bilingual (Jap, Fr, Sp, Port, It)
Description: This CD-ROM-based course focuses on the language of numbers and basic mathematics. Useful for students and people in business and technical fields who need to understand or make oral presentations in English, do business over the telephone, participate in question-and-answer sessions involving the exchange of numerical information, and improve listening comprehension. Each unit includes a brief oral presentation followed by practice activities that test listening comprehension. The material is suitable for TOEIC levels 450-750. Pricing options include per-student-use cost. Contact the publisher for details. Windows 98/NT/2000/XP: Mac OS 9, X.

Functioning in Business

Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: DynEd International
Purchase options: network, lab and site licenses
Level: Beginning, intermediate For: Adult, HE
Special use: Business, bilingual (Jap)
Description: These four CD-ROMs use QuickTime Video and speech recognition technologies to create an engaging learning environment. The course is designed for intermediate level students preparing to use English in a business context. The primary focus is on practical language functions common in the business world such as requesting, refusing, suggesting, confirming, etc. Vocabulary is developed in the context of meetings, phone calls, a business lunch, negotiations, and a disagreement. Provides about 80-100 hours of intensive self-study and practice. Networkable. Windows 98/NT/2000/XP: Mac OS 9, X.

Imagination Express: Destinations

Machine: Mac/Win
Publisher: Sunburst Technology
Approximate single-unit price: 60
Purchase options: $60 each title; lab, network avail.
Level: Beginning, intermediate For: All
Description: Excellent software for making interactive storybooks. For ESL purposes, it is even better if projected onto a large screen for whole class oral language activities. Choose from a variety of scenes: school, home, playground, mall, etc. Place people and objects into this setting. These 'smart stickers' can be positioned inside, beside, behind, in front of, etc and change their size according to where they are placed on the screen. Narration can be added. CD-ROMs in the series: Castle; Neighborhoods; Rain Forest; Ocean; Pyramids; and Time Trip USA. For ESL, Neighborhoods and Oceans are probably most helpful. Sheltered English classes might be able to use others depending on subject.

Lost Secret, The

Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: DynEd International
Purchase options: contact publisher
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-8
Special use: Bilingual (Jap, Fr)
Description: BBC English's mystery is presented on CD-ROM in MPEG video, supported by a variety of practice exercises. The focus is on listening comprehension for basic level students. Students may interrupt at any time to repeat a sentence, record their voices, hear a spoken translation, see written text, or consult a glossary. Provides 80-100 hours of home or classroom study. A textbook, student workbook, and teacher's guide are available. Requires online access for record-keeping and verification. Contact publisher for details. Windows 95/98/ME/XP; Mac OS 9 and X.

Reading Street Fluency Coach

Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: Scott Foresman
Approximate single-unit price: 200
Purchase options: $240 Mac version; grades sold separately
Level: Beginning, intermediate, advanced For: 2-6
Special use: Elementary
Description: Uses voice recognition software to build fluency in reading. Students read selections into the microphone, and software tracks words correct per minute and provides corrective feedback. Students can listen to model fluent readings and practice reading on their own. Grades 2-6 sold separately.

Short Takes Interactive

Machine: Win
Publisher: Pearson Education
Purchase options: contact publisher
Level: Intermediate For: All but K-6
Description: Listening and speaking practice based on unscripted video recordings in a variety of dialects of English. Exercises work on pronunciation as well as listening. Three CD-ROMs sold separately or as a set. Windows 98/XP/Vista: Mac OS X. See more information at http://www.pearsonlongman.com/ae/multimedia/programs/sti.htm.

Splendidly Speaking

Machine: Win
Publisher: Clarity Language Consultants
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-6
Description: Speaking skills practice

Telephoning in English

Machine: Win
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Approximate single-unit price: 40
Purchase options: UK£25
Level: Intermediate For: Adult, HE
Special use: Business
Description: Listening and speaking practice in a business English context. Topics include Unit 1; Who's calling, please?; Unit 2; Would you hold on, please?; Unit 3; I'd like to know your prices; Unit 4; We're ready to order now; Unit 5; I'll have to change the booking; Unit 6; Let's fix another date; Unit 7; What seems to be the trouble?; Unit 8; I'm sure we can sort it out. British English. CD-ROM.


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Last updated 25 May 2009 by Deborah Healey, dhealey at uoregon dot edu
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