Walking Dictation (Running Dictation) Activity for Teaching ESL and Languages

Walking Dictation (also called Running Dictation) is an exciting classroom activity that combines movement with language learning. Students work in pairs to transfer a written text from one location to another using memory, dictation, and teamwork. This activity is ideal for reinforcing sentence structure, vocabulary, and pronunciation, while keeping students actively engaged.

Aim

To practice reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills through teamwork and memory-based dictation.

Preparation

Choose or create a short sentence or passage that reviews recently studied vocabulary and grammar. Print out the passage and make a few copies to place around the classroom.

Materials

Printed texts (1 per team or a few placed around the room)
Pencil and paper for each team
Optional: Timer or stopwatch

Setup

Divide the class into pairs. One student will be the reader, and the other will be the writer
Tape the printed passages to the walls of the classroom or just outside the room
Each pair should have one sheet of paper and a pencil or pen for writing

How to Play

The reader goes to the posted text, reads and memorizes part of it, then returns to the writer to dictate what they remember
The writer listens carefully and writes down exactly what the reader says
The reader may return to the text as many times as needed until the entire passage is written down
Halfway through the activity, have students swap roles so both practice walking and writing
Once finished, the team compares their version to the original text to check for accuracy in spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Variations

Relay Style: Add a fun challenge by placing the text further away and allowing teams of three or more students to take turns walking
Timed Challenge: Set a time limit and see which team produces the most accurate version before time runs out
Dictation Race: Give each team a different text and have them race to complete their dictation first