Podcasts in ESL/EFL classrooms

Digital learning tools can no longer be ignored by ESL/EFL instructors. A lot of research has been done on the importance of these tools to develop the learners’ skills. One of the most popular tools is the podcast. A podcast is a media file uploaded to the internet by an individual, radio station, or any organization that wishes to disseminate information by audio format. They are usually free and can be downloaded and saved on the computer. So the question is how to use the podcasts in ESL/EFL classrooms? I think using the podcast to develop the students’ listening comprehension is very useful. The teacher should use the podcast that suits his/her students’ interests and level. The learners can also take podcasts home in a USB storage device and listen extensively. To make it more interesting the teacher can create a blog for the whole class, where she posts all the podcasts that the learners need for their assignments. So the students listen and then write some comments under each podcast. Additionally, podcasts are good to support the learning process. Learners can listen to the same podcast more than once, they can replay it many times or pause it to take some notes. 

 
 

 Christopher Shamburg refers to the learners as consumers and creators of the digital media. I agree with him when he says we need to teach our learners how effectively synthesize content, to create original materials. I would definitely enjoy watching my students interviewing each other or participating in other social activities through the podcasts. I think we should teach our students how to connect their interests with popular activities and occupations which are socially and culturally meaningful. The podcast provide good L2 input for the ESL/EFL learners. However, it can easily be transformed into technology task if the teacher doesn’t choose the correct activity. The students may enjoy recording each other’s interview, but it may also be waste of time. Recording/listening each other’s podcast may not be as effective as it should be especially with the young learners. With advance students recording process may work better, if they work in a computer lab. Finally, I believe that podcasting is part of the blended learning approach. I would use it in my classroom to develop my learners’ imagination, to engage them in an authentic experience, and to support their learning. The extensive input of the podcasts will motivate and encourage my learners to overcome L2 listening anxiety.