How podcasts can facilitate language learning

Technically, a podcast is a digital audio file that is located on a web server (1 + 2). Teachers or students can subscribe to the podcast using a program that can read these files such as iTunes, Netvibes etc (3). This program is then automatically informed when the podcast is updated and the audio file is sent to the user’s computer. The user can then listen to the audio on their computer (4) or download it onto a portable device (MP3 player, iPod etc) (5).

Podcasts are great for language learning because:

• a podcast is usually a structured audio text (has a beginning, middle and end section),
• a podcast usually follows a common entertainment genre such as a talk show or magazine type programme.
• content is usually scheduled at regular intervals (each day/week) and each episode often follows the same or similar structure to build into a series.

Benefits for teachers include:

• they are updated regularly
• easy to access
• copyright free for classroom use
• often free of charge
• and often have additional materials for teachers to use in class to teach extensive and intensive listening skills. 

How will my learners listen to podcasts?

As a class your learners can listen to a podcast in their normal classroom via a computer or portable device such as i-Pod, Mp3 player, mobile phone, PDA with speakers. In the computer room learners can listen to the audio files via a computer with headphones. Alternatively you can arrange for your learners to save the audio files to their own portable devices and complete tasks individually, in small groups or as homework.

Podcasts can make your teaching more effective and amazing:

• There is a huge variety of podcasts available
• They are easily searched online via topics, themes, poems, stories etc.
• Latest up to the minute stories and articles are available
• Digital audio files are easier to store than CDs and cassettes
• Lots of online audio files are accompanied by video, pictures etc
• Podcast software can automatically save the latest audio files
• Internet access is widely available outside the classroom and your learners can learn how to access and register for podcasts on their own.

You can listen to BritishCouncilPodcasts on different topics here.