What is dictation?
Dictation means listening to spoken language and writing it down exactly. It is one of the oldest ways to learn a language, and still one of the most useful for listening and spelling.
How dictation works
You listen to a text, a sentence or a few words at a time, and write down what you hear. Then you compare your version with the original. Every difference shows something to work on: a word you didn’t catch, a sound you misheard or a word you can’t spell yet.
Why dictation helps
- It trains careful listening: you can’t skip a word you have to write.
- It joins sound and spelling, which English keeps far apart.
- It shows grammar in use: endings, small words and word order.
- It gives clear feedback: you see exactly what you missed.
Kinds of dictation
- Sentence dictation: one sentence at a time, the most common kind for learners.
- Passage dictation: a whole short text, usually played in parts.
- Gap-fill dictation: the text is printed with words missing, and you fill them in.
- Word dictation: single words, often for spelling practice.
- Dictogloss: you hear a text at normal speed, note key words, then rebuild it.
Dictation online
Online, you can replay each sentence as often as you need, and your answer is checked word by word as soon as you send it. On EnglishDictations every mistake is also explained, and there are new dictations every day at each level from A1 to C1.
Questions about dictation
What is dictation in English learning?
An exercise where you listen to spoken English and write it down exactly, then compare it with the original text to find your mistakes.
Is dictation still useful today?
Yes. It is one of the most direct ways to train listening and spelling together, and online tools make it quicker, with instant feedback.
How often should I do a dictation?
A short dictation every day works better than a long one once a week. About 10 minutes is enough.