Application of VoiceThread in Chinese teaching and learning: Some examples

VoiceThread, an interactive collaboration online tool, allows people to collect and share group conversations in multimedia formats at one place from anywhere in the world. It can be used as a powerful tool in language teaching and learning to improve student listening and speaking skills. This article first introduces what VoiceThread is, including its presentation methods, registration information, and its three major working areas. In the second section, the author shares how she used VoiceThread in the Chinese teaching and learning, such as for lesson reviews, culture reports, group work, discussion, and exams. In the third section, the article compares VoiceThread with other online voice recording tools(e.g., Wimba, Voki); and discusses the advantages of using VoiceThread, such as encouraging student participation and making language learning more engaging; helping to promote creative critical thinking and collaborative skills. In the last section, the article provides suggestions for instructors and researchers interested in using VoiceThread in Chinese language teaching and learning.