How to Use Microsoft Edge for Listening Lessons

Microsoft Edge is one of those hidden gems that a lot of teachers don't know about. Most people use Chrome, Safari, or another browser, but Edge has some really useful features for language lessons. In particular, you can use split screen, annotate PDFs, translate words, and even have text read aloud. All of this makes it surprisingly useful for doing listening activities online.

For example, let's say you have a listening lesson with a video and a four-page PDF worksheet. Instead of printing the worksheet, students can open everything in Edge and use Split Screen. They can put the listening lesson on one side of the screen and the PDF on the other. They can then play the audio or video while completing the worksheet right there on the screen.

There are several useful features for listening lessons:

1. Use Split Screen. Put the listening lesson on one side and the worksheet on the other so students can work with both at the same time.
2. Write on the PDF. Students can use the Draw tool to circle answers, write numbers, underline information, or make notes directly on the worksheet.
3. Highlight answers. Students can use the highlighter to mark multiple-choice answers or identify words and phrases as they listen.
4. Add text. The Add Text tool lets students type answers directly onto a PDF instead of printing it.
5. Translate vocabulary. Students can highlight an unfamiliar word and use the Translate tool to see its meaning in their language.
6. Listen to words and text. Edge can pronounce words and also has a Read Aloud feature, giving students another way to hear English as they work.

The translation feature is especially useful for language learners. For example, if a student sees the word treadmill and doesn't know what it means, they can highlight it and get a translation. They can also hear the English word pronounced. This means students don't necessarily have to leave the lesson, open another tab, and search for the word somewhere else. A lot of the support they need is already built into the browser.

Edge also works well for teachers when going over answers in class. Even if students completed a printed worksheet, you can open the PDF next to the listening, play and pause the audio, and annotate the worksheet as you check the answers together. It fits nicely with other tools as well. You might create a worksheet in Canva, host your audio on Audio.com, and then have students do the whole listening activity in Edge. It's free, easy to download, and has a surprising number of useful features for language teachers.