Module 15: Practising Listening and Speaking with Online Audio

Podcasting has made broadcasting Personal and available On Demand. I didn't know that POD comes from Personal On Demand. 3 reasons why podcasts are so popular: 1. Anyone can do it, no satellites, studios needed. Only a microphone and a video camera, a computer, and a connection to the web is enough 2. You can subscribe to podcasts 3. Gatgetry: You can download the podcast onto your computer, but also an MP3 player. No dependence on traditional media. 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.

Using audio online for communication Considerations when recording online audio.

Audience e.g. is it for other students? what age? parents? Theme / topic Structure of content / genre Length Script Rehearse You Vs students Platform Media format Support materials All the resources, and tasks as well as discussions very useful again.