Why I tried this:

I wanted more practice in understanding the kinds of questions likely to appear in the Grade 2 Cornish speaking examination, using previous papers as a guide. A few people were willing to practise with me, which was very helpful, but I also wanted something I could use independently and repeatedly. I therefore created a simple iPhone app that:

• presented likely questions in both written and spoken form;
• provided model answers in writing and audio;
• allowed me to record my own answer;
• let me compare my recording with the model version.

By using it regularly, I became much more familiar with the format and language of the speaking test. When I eventually took the exam, the questions and the general process felt far less unfamiliar.

Demonstration

Here’s a short demonstration of the app:

Prag yth esov vy owth assaya hemma:

My a vynnas praktisya klewes an govynnow rag an apposyans kewsel Nessa Gradh. My a gavas onan po dew dhen dhe’m gweres. Rag krefhe henna, my a wrug app rag ow iPhone. Ev a ros dhymm an govynnow ha’n gorthybow (kewsys ha skrifys). Ev a asas dhymm ynwedh recordya ow lev ow honan dh’y geheveli gans an versyon-model. Y’n vordh ma, gwell parys en vy rag an apposyans.