Speech+Accent+Archive

= **Abby Eakin**=
 * Web 2.0 Tool:** Speech Accent Archive
 * URL:** @http://accent.gmu.edu/

How many times do students get the opportunity to hear native speakers from around the world? Probably not that often. The Speech Accent Archive is a phenomenal tool for language or ESL teachers and students. This tool can be used for examples of different accents, International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) practice, or geography exercises. What it boils down to is that there are audio files of speakers of native languages reading a controlled paragraph. There is a phonetic transcription of what is said, a link to a map to see where the speaker is from, and a list of other factors listed on the page in order to better explain the readers English comprehension. There are endless possibilities for learning using this neat Web 2.0 tool.
 * Overview:**

Speech Accent Archive is fairly easy to navigate. For one, you do not need an account. This George Mason University project is available to the public for free 24/7. You may need to install Quicktime in order to hear the audio files; however, here is a quick link for directions on Installing Quicktime for Windows. If you do not need to install Quicktime, then you are well on your way to experiencing all that Speech Accent Archive has to offer. One can browse by languge, region, or phonetic inventory. For example, if I wanted to look up French speakers I would start at the Browse section and scrool to French as seen here: Once French has been selected one will have the option to select an audio file. The sex of the speaker, city, and country are listed for each of the options. For French alone there are thirty-five unique recordings. Click on one of the recordings to open the audio file. To hear the paragraph being read click the play button on the audio bar at the top left. The actual paragraph is written underneath and the transcription of how it is being read by the speaker is listed on the right. On the far left navigation bar one can find the speaker's birth place, the map of where that place is located and other useful information to the listener. At the bottom generalizations are listed about the paragraph that was read.
 * How to Use:**


 * Pros:**
 * No account or sign up necessary
 * Many different regions represented
 * Many lesson / learning opportunities
 * Rich in content
 * Absolutely Free
 * Available 24/7
 * Easy to navigate
 * Accredited University - George Mason
 * Simple


 * Cons:**
 * Only one language / paragraph is read
 * Not all language families are finished
 * Graphically unappealing

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