Podcasts

A podcast is an audio (or video) file that you download from the Internet. After you download it, you can listen to it on your computer or on an MP3/portable music player (for example, an iPod). You can subscribe to a podcast so that it is delivered to you automatically each day, just like a newspaper. (from ESLpod)

Read more about the history of podcasting from Wikipedia.

You can usually hear podcasts over the Internet, download them to your computer, or listen to them from a portable MP3 player.

To try this, go to English as a Second Language Podcast and look for ESL Podcast 325 - Describing People's Moods. Click on the link so your screen shows, Listen, Learning Guide, counter settings, and the dialog. Click the Listen botton so you can hear the podcast without downloading it. (A small player in a new window should appear.)

Notice the Audio Index above the dialog:

• Slow dialog: 1:21
• Explanations: 3:03
• Fast dialog: 10:50

Now, to download the podcast and save it to your computer to hear later or play offline for your class, right click over the hyperlink Download Podcast, select "Save target as" choose where to save the file on your pc (i.e. Desktop) and click Save. You can open the file immediately or play it later with your favorite player on your computer (i.e. Windows Media Player).

(The Learning Guides on ESLpod are paid.)

Now, browse some of the podcasts linked to below and discuss with a partner some of the benefits and challenges of integrating them into your curriculum. How could they be used?

ESL/EFL Podcasts

ESLpod
http://www.eslpod.com/website/index.php
China 232
http://www.china232.com/
ELT Podcast (lower levels)
http://www.eltpodcast.com/
English Language Listening Lab Online
http://www.elllo.org/
TOEFL Test Podcast from ESLpod.com
http://www.eslpod.com/toefl/scripts/scripts.html
Breaking News English
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/
Language Caster – English Through Soccer
http://languagecaster.com/
UGoEigo ESL Phonics Video Podcast (beginners)
http://www.ugoeigo.com/
EFL Videos from Better @ English
http://www.betteratenglish.com/videos/

ESL/EFL Podcast Links

The Internet TESL Journal’s Podcast Links
http://iteslj.org/links/ESL/Listening/Podcasts/
The Internet TESL Journal’s Video Links
http://iteslj.org/links/ESL/Video/

General Podcasts (by genre or search)

Podcast.com
http://podcast.com/
Podcast Alley
http://www.podcastalley.com/
Yahoo! Audio Search
http://audio.search.yahoo.com/audio