Exploiting Podcasts in English Language Classrooms

Lead-in

Podcasts have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reasons. They are a great way to learn new things, stay up-to-date with current events, and even improve language skills. In English language classrooms, podcasts can be used as a valuable tool to enhance students’ listening, speaking, and comprehension skills.

Types of podcasts

We have 3 main types; authentic podcasts, teacher podcasts, and student podcasts. Authentic podcasts are podcasts that are not originally designed for EFL classrooms. They are genuine podcasts and mostly about recent issues, and it’s very suitable for higher levels. Teacher podcasts are created by English teachers, likely for their own classes. Finally, student podcasts are recorded by students in response to a topic as an assignment.

Why we should consider them

There are many reasons why we should consider podcasts for our classes. Firstly, they are portable. Secondly, listening also improves our reading skills when we read the audio script, of course. Thirdly, they are up-to-date. Fourthly, you can find them in all sorts of lengths and in a variety of topics. Fifthly, it helps meet academic standards. Finally, it supports multi-lingual learning.

Advantages

One of the biggest advantages of using podcasts in the classroom is that they offer a wide range of topics and themes. This allows teachers to select podcasts that align with their lesson plans and cater to their students’ interests. For example, if a teacher is teaching a unit on environmental issues, they can assign a podcast that discusses climate change or pollution. This not only helps students learn about the topic but also exposes them to different accents and dialects. Furthermore, podcasts are highly accessible. Many podcasts are available for free on various platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Google Podcasts. Additionally, most podcasts have transcripts available online, making it easier for students to follow along and understand the content.

Recommendations

This is a list of podcasts that can be useful for English language students and can be used in classes, depending on your aims.

• Podcasts for learning English
• Luke’s English podcasts - Learn British English with Luke
• All ears English
• Espresso English podcast
• Better at English
• Culips Everyday English podcast
• Business English pod
• This American Life
• English learning for curious minds
• Overheard at National Geographic

Overall, podcasts are a valuable resource for English language classrooms. They offer a wide range of topics, are highly accessible, and can be used to improve listening and speaking skills. By incorporating podcasts into their lesson plans, teachers can create an engaging and effective learning environment for their students.