[TLL] Introducing: Podcast for Language Learning

cr: www.geneedwards.com

Few years ago, people like to listen news on internet by online radio. However, this way to get news did not really match with people who have many activities. When people want to listen something from online radio, at least they have to know the time of the broadcast itself. If they do not stay tuned or streaming on the online radio, they might be lost the broadcasting. From this case, some people came up with the idea of 'a non-streaming online radio'.

Based on that case 'podcast' was born, it’s well known as ‘a non-streamed digital media’. The word podcast is stands from the word pod and cast. Pod means playable or personal demand, and cast means broadcast. So, podcast also means radio with concept anytime and anywhere (broadcasting digital media).

How you use a podcast? How to play it? Podcast is an audio media file, so it’s a mp3 format. You can play a podcast with only by using an ordinary audio player / mp3 player. You don’t need to have an iPod to listen it. Something special about podcast is free! We can subscribe it. We do not need to visit the site to find new episode or series of podcast.

cr: 3.bp.blogspot.com

So many people like to listen podcast because they can listen to news anytime and anywhere by only using an ordinary audio player. People also can easily get the broadcasting audio ‘podcast’ by only download or subscribe on some podcast websites. 

Podcasts possible use cases:

• News / Talk Shows -> industry or organizational news, investor news, sportscasts, news coverage and commentary.
• Business -> audio business advice or general business news.
• Music -> band promotional clips and interviews.
• Training -> instructional informational materials.
• Story -> story telling to children or people with visual impairments.

The best way to find podcast is using a podcast directory, such as:

• http://www.podcast.com/
• http://www.digitalpodcast.com/
• http://podcasts.yahoo.com/
• http://www.podfeed.net/feedburner_rankings.asp
• http://www.voanews.com/indonesian/podcasts/

In term of language learning, podcast now has role to contribute in it. Some of the role of podcast in language learning are:

•  Listening Comprehension training
•  Idea Catching training
• Lesson material distribution (from teacher to students)
• Vocabulary learning sources

However podcast has some disadvantages for language learning, such as:

• One way learning
•  Internet connection needed
• Specialized software needed

This is my ppt persentation of podcast in TLL class. If you want to see it, just go download here. ^__^

This is the example of audio podcast in education context. Just go to this link (English Fluency Tips and Lessons).

cr: Ahndesu