PODCASTING: A TOOL FOR IMPROVING LISTENING SKILLS

• Authors: Galina Kavaliauskienė
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Skills of listening in learning a foreign language have been neglected in spite of being most needed ability in everyday communication. Ability to follow a speaker and respond appropriately needs to be taught like all other language skills. An innovative approach to teaching listening skills has emerged due to audio publishing online. It is known as ‘podcasting’ and has become very popular because it offers language learners extra listening practice both inside and outside of the classroom. Moreover, podcasting as online communication technology is a new way to inspire learning: it provides an exciting way for students and educators to explore and discover educational content. Applicability of podcasting to teaching English needs researching. This paper describes research into learners’ perceptions of online listening to podcasts, self-evaluation of their own performance in individual listening practice and reflections on ways of improving listening skills. The findings give insights into a practice of developing listening competence. Some implications of research are described including a recommendation for blended learning, i.e. combination of multiple approaches to learning by harmonizing online listening with classroom audition activities in teaching / learning English.

Keywords

EN

podcasting; listening

• Publisher: IATEFL Poland Computer Special Interest Group & University of Nicosia
• Journal: Teaching English with Technology
• Year: 2008
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 4

Contributors

author

Galina Kavaliauskienė

• Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania

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