This presentation introduces a study into the use of Peer Assessment to evaluate speaking skills. The study was developed through collaboration between the School of Modern Languages and the Education Support Unit at the University of Bristol. It aims to encourage student assessment of other students’ oral work and is part of a wider strategy that supports independent learning and a more active student engagement with feedback. In the first part of the presentation we will explain the rationale behind the case study. In the second part we will show how the study was carried out in practice and supported by a variety of technological tools. In particular, we will describe how:

1. the language lab Sanako allowed us to create, record and store the oral materials;
2. the sound editor and recording software Audacity was used to edit the students’ audio materials;
3. the ‘self and peer assessment’ function of Blackboard provided the platform to set up the submissions, evaluations and provision of feedback.

The strengths and the limitations of the case study will also be discussed.