Speech recognition exercises – Sample page

This is a selection of the new speech recognition exercises added to our General English courses.

Technical tips

  • Check that your microphone is working correctly using the Record Yourself tool at the bottom of the page .
    Record yourself and play it back. Can you hear it okay? If not, see help.

  • HELP

    (Windows 10)

    1. Check your microphone mode. Make sure that your microphone is turned on.
    2. Check your cable connections.
    3. Check microphone settings.
      1. Right click on the Sound icon on your bottom right of your screen.
      2. Click on Open Sound settings
      3. See Choose your input device and make sure the correct microphone is selected.
      4. See Test your microphone.
        Test the microphone by speaking into it.
        Look at the blue bar next to the microphone image :
        • If the blue bar moves, the device is active and an audio signal is passing through the microphone port. The issue should be resolved.

    4. Check your microphone placement.
    5. Recalibrate your microphone.
      1. Right click on the Sound icon on your bottom right of your screen.
      2. Click on Open Sound settings.
      3. Under the Input section, click on Device properties.
      4. Click on the Levels tab.
        If the Mute  button is on, click it to turn off mute. The Volume button should show as a blue speaker without the red circle .
        Adjust the volume and boost controls until the Test your microphone indicator goes to above 50% when you speak.

    6. Reduce background noise.
    7. Listen to your audio.

    (Windows 7)

    1. Check your microphone mode. Make sure that your microphone is turned on.
    2. Check your cable connections.
    3. Check microphone settings.
      1. Click here to see how to check the settings.
    4. Reduce background noise.
    5. Listen to your audio.
  • Be in a quiet place to try each exercise.

How the exercises work