Podcasts in the ESL Classroom

This post is meant to introduce you to the magnificent world of podcasting, a very useful tool that the XXI Century teacher must know. We all know how tedious is to search for recorded material that would suit our needs - and our students'. Well, with podcasts you can do that and much more!



But What is Podcating?



Just as blogging has enabled almost anyone with a computer to become a bona fide reporter, podcasting allows virtually anyone with a computer to become a radio disc jockey, talk show host or recording artist.



Podcasting combines the freedom of blogging with digital audio technology to create an almost endless supply of content.



Podcasting is a free service that allows Internet users to pull audio files (typically MP3s) from a podcasting Web site to listen to on their computers or personal digital audio players.



Log on to one of several podcast sites on the Web, and you can download content ranging from music to philosophy to sports.



How do I do it?



It is very easy to listen to a podcast. Once you master a few simple steps and search techniques, there are virtually no limits to what you can hear.



To listen to a podcast:



1. Go to a podcasting site.

2. Click on the hyperlink for each podcast you want. You can listen right away on your computer (Windows, Mac and Linux support podcasting) or download the podcast to your portable media player.

3. You can also subscribe to one or more RSS feeds. Your podcasting software will check the RSS feeds regularly and automatically pull content that matches your playlist. When you dock your portable media player to your computer, it automatically updates with the latest content



No matter the format of your audio, there is free technology available to make listening possible, such as Windows Media Player, Apple Quicktime, VLC media player or Winamp.



Now that you know how to listen podcasts, the next logical step is to learn where to find podcasts that pertain to your interests. Here is a list of links where you can listen and download podcasts for you to use in your lessons:



1.

StorynoryFree Audio Stories for Kids



2.

Grammar Girl
Quick and Dirty Tricks for Better Writing






3.

This UK directory lists podcasts for educational use - suitable for use by children and young people at school, college and elsewhere. The directory also lists podcasts produced and published by pupils, young people, and educators.

4.

The Education Podcast Network

This website gives teachers looking for content to teach with and about one place that brings together a wide range of programming. New podcasts are continually being added to this resource.



5.

The Podcast Alley website has the most extensive listing of podcasts on the web. It ranks podcasts based on the number of votes they receive each month. Don't limit yourself to the education category. Many applicable podcasts can be found in other categories! You can also perform a search.



6.

Learn Out Loud

Directory of podcasts that listeners can learn from. The podcasts listed are screened so you can expect higher-quality content.



7.

BBC's directory of podcasts. Enough said!



8.
Last, but not least, here is the best podcast directory of our country, Podcaster.cl. You just need to register in order to upload your own podcasts.






This is a great tool, not only to download information, but to upload as well. You can have your class doing their own podcasts and posting them on your blog, and so on. The possibilities are endless....we just need to find and use them.