ELL+and+Podcasts

Why use podcasts in the ELL classroom?
Podcasts are digital media files, usually found in a series, that can be downloaded and then listened to using a computer or mp3 device. Podcasting can be used for many different services and organizations, but this will mainly focus on the impact it has within education and the ELL classroom.

Podcasts allow both teachers and students to share information digitally with anyone at anytime. Podcasts are easy to use, inexpensive, and are flexible for all needs. These can be downloaded and listened to at a later time. This use at a later time provides the opportunity for use as an additional resources for extra help, when a student is absent they can access the lesson, or can be used as a teaching strategy to accompany lessons.

Utilizing podcasts in the ELL classroom provides students to listen to the podcast more than once for better comprehension for those students who struggle with language vocabulary and grammar. These podcast should be short segments that focus on one thing each time. Usually adding script of the actual podcast to the podcast's website, allows students to look up words they don't understand. Advantages of using podcasts allow many issues or questions to be clarified when re-listening to the material, but also provides revision for tests or exams, which ELL students need the most. Also, listeners of the podcast can download the podcast to a computer or mp3 and listen to it anywhere they wish. Most users follow along with a Powerpoint presentation provided by the teacher, or listen while reviewing the material.

Some disadvantages of using podcasts in the ELL classroom is that not all students have the necessary skills to use the technology that podcasts require, nor have the access to the technology. Other students may lack concentration when listening to a podcast and may learn visually only.

Resources: Kelly, C (2005). Guidelines to consider when making ESL/ELL podcasts. //Aichi Institute of Technology.// Retrieved from []

Scutter, S., Stupans, I., Sawyer, T. and King, S. (2010). How do students use podcasts to support learning? //Australasian Journal of Educational Technology 26(2), 180-191.//Retrieved from []

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=**Podcasts in Education for ESL Students By: Tara Broome**= Many teachers try to make learning a fun experience for all students in their classroom. One of the newest ways to reach students is by using technology in the classroom. One form of technology being used is called podcasts. Podcasts have recently made their way into the classrooms of many teachers to be used with and for student learning. According to Dictionary.com, a podcast is “a digital audio or video file or recording, usually part of a themed series, that can be downloaded from a website to a media player or a computer.” Podcasts are found online, created by the teacher, or created by the students themselves. This article is to explain how podcasts used in the classrooms could benefit or hinder ESL student learning.

**Benefits:**
Podcasts used in the classroom allow for ESL students to receive better listening skills. The podcasts provide chances for the student to listen to someone talk in English. Podcasts also provide a chance for students to play, stop, and rewind. These skills can help the student pick up on new vocabulary and word usage. Podcasts allow the ESL student to be able to attain information at their own rate. The student is also more engaged in learning because they are in control of how many times they want to listen to the podcast and what they may gain from the podcast. All of these benefits make learning more fun for the student to be engaged just as everyone else the class without feeling embarrassed about having to ask questions. Instead, they just listen to the podcast again.

**Hindrances:**
As any form of technology, podcasts have their disadvantages to being used in the classroom with ESL students. The students are able to hear voices, but nothing else. This means that they are not able to see the person talking to see facial expressions and gain a sense of how the speaker feels. The student is also not able to see any gestures that the speaker could be making. Another hindrance is that the students may have trouble listening to the speed of the speaker.

Overall, using podcasts in the classroom for ESL students has become more beneficial than not to help build language and listening skills of the student.

**Sources:**
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