🎧 How to Create a Dictation Activity Using H5P in WordPress
✅ What Is the Dictation Activity?
The H5P Dictation activity allows learners to:
- Listen to audio clips.
- Type what they hear.
- Get immediate feedback based on accuracy, spelling, and alternative answers.
- Practice listening and writing skills.
🛠️ Step-by-Step Setup
1. Install the Dictation Content Type
- Go to H5P plugin in WordPress.
- Click Add New.
- Search for Dictation (not “Dictation (Text Input)”).
- If it’s not installed, click Get to install it.
2. Set Up Basic Info
- Title: Add your activity title.
- Task Description: Give user instructions like:
“Listen to the audio clips and write what you hear in the box. Click on the audio to play the clips.”
3. Add Sentences and Audio
For each sentence:
- Upload a normal-speed audio file.
- Upload an optional slow version (for additional support).
- Enter the correct answer text (this is what H5P will check against).
➕ Add Alternative Spellings:
Use the pipe symbol (|) to allow alternative spellings:
sqlCopyEditThere are many colors|colours in the natural world.
Repeat this process for each sentence/audio clip.
4. Scoring & Feedback
- Use score ranges to display messages like “Fail” or “Pass”.
- Leave feedback sections empty if not needed.
5. Behavioral Settings
Set these based on how strict you want the activity to be:
| Setting | Example |
|---|---|
| Max Tries (Normal Audio) | 2 |
| Max Tries (Slow Audio) | 1 |
| Ignore punctuation | ✔️ (recommended) |
| Zero Mistakes Mode | Optional (makes scoring more lenient) |
| Custom Typo Display | ✔️ Shows where user made spelling errors |
| Leniency (%) | 50% allows small spelling errors |
6. Publishing the Activity
- Click Create or Save once done.
- To embed in a post/page:
- Copy the shortcode on the right side.
- Add a Shortcode block in your post/page.
- Paste the code, publish, and you’re done!
🎯 Example Use Case
You built an activity with 3 clips:
- “There are many colors in the natural world.”
- “What flavor is your ice cream?”
- “Strive for progress not perfection.”
Users can:
- Replay each clip a limited number of times.
- Get real-time feedback.
- See correct answers, including spelling variations.
💡 Final Tips
- The activity works well in Chrome; Firefox may have mixed results.
- No mic is required unless you add speaking tasks (not part of this dictation type).
- You can bundle this dictation into larger activities like:
- Interactive Books.
- Question Sets.
🧩 Great For:
- ESL listening practice.
- Spelling drills.
- Language comprehension.
- Learners with varying levels (customizable difficulty).
📢 Want more interactive content tutorials?
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Got questions or creative ways you’re using H5P? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear what you’re building!
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