Thinking English

Weekly Featured Resource: Podcasting and English Language Learners

The podcasting revolution has created thousands of podcasts that can be utilized as part of a lesson. In some cases, entire units can be built around a specific podcasting series. Nowhere, however, are podcasts more effective than when working with  ELL (English Language Learners). Studies continually show that immersion is the number one way to learn a language. With podcasts, ELL are capable of taking an native English speaker with them wherever they go. More, podcasting allows ELL to pause, stop, rewind and repeat a conversation. Thus, providing them with real listening experiences that can help increase their listening and understanding abilities exponentially.  This can lead to the following benefits:

• Better English retention skills
• Improved comprehension
• Incorporation of the natural rhythms and tones of oral English
• Improved speaking capabilities

When ELL podcasts are combined with a written transcript of each Podcast,  students can then improve their understanding of written English as well. Moreover, a written transcript helps ELL students begin constructing an understanding of the complicated relationships between oral and written English. Best of all, these podcasts are available for free. After using podcasts to improve their oral and written English, ELL can then be asked to develop their own custom podcast and written transcript.

Want to know more about Podcasting? What resources will you need to create your own Podcast? I am so glad you asked.

Podcasting For People Who Like It Simple

Blogtalkradio.com: If you can talk on the phone and use a web browser, you can make a podcast. Best of all, blogtalkradio has a detailed series of screen casts to help even the most technologically challenged start podcasting.

Podcasting Techniques for Tech Savvy Audiophiles

About.com: There are many ways to podcast, but About.com provides an excellent step by step tutorial for those individuals who want to start podcasting without making a financial investment.