Kwong Sai Hin, Jack

Kwong Sai Hin, Jack

Self-access Language Learning in Hong Kong

Using podcasts to improve your English

About the article

In this article, I suggest a new way, podcasting, for English learners to improve their listening and speaking skills and hence become more capable to express themselves and communicate in English. Illustration is also included to help faster adaption. English is the main focus of this article, but the benefit of the approach is certainly not limited to one language.

What is a Podcast?

The name “Podcast” originates from the combination of two words: “iPod” and “Broadcast”. This reflects the fact that it was initially “receiving broadcasts in iPod”. But the definition of Podcast has broadened today, and is now defined as online delivery of visual-audio content through RSS feed, which is a format for data storage. So you don’t need an iPod to do podcasting, all you need is a program like iTunes that can search for and download these files and can subscribe to channels.

Why Podcasts?

The essence of Podcast is more or less receiving a broadcast, but it has features that make Podcasts more than just receiving broadcasts. Firstly, it provides portability. Any portable device, like iPod, notebook, and mobile, that can connect to the web and execute programs will do. Secondly, unlike traditional broadcasting, it allows flexibility. You can listen to your favorite programmes anytime you like to. Thirdly, it’s convenient, programs like iTunes can automatically check if there are any new releases in the channels you have subscribed to, and download all the new releases if so. These features make podcasts a good tool for language learning.

How Podcasts improve listening and speaking

English is one of the core subjects in Hong Kong’s education system, but it seems an agreed fact that local students, whether in secondary or tertiary schools, are more prone to be weak in listening and speaking than reading and writing, this trend seems also true for local English learners who aren’t students anymore.

The main reason for the phenomenon is that they seldom expose themselves in real English medium. As a result, they are not familiar with the natural tone and way to speak in different situations. Hence, even if they can hear every word out of a sentence, they might not understand the true meaning conveyed, not to mention the case that they can’t hear a learnt word since they don’t know the correct pronunciation. This also hinders them from expressing themselves well and properly.

To communicate better with one language, one has to learn the way and tone to speak from different real-life conversations on varied occasions. Podcasts work by allowing easier access to these conversations.

Start podcasting

To start podcasting, you need proper software. iTunes is a famous one. Searching with keyword “iTunes” will easily lead you to the download location. Download and install it.

When you’ve executed iTunes, the program looks like this:

You are now ready to start.

When you want to search for podcasts to practice your English, whether written or spoken, formal or informal, you can start by searching with keywords about a specific field like “English listening” and “English speaking” if you want to focus on one skill each time. Or you can use keywords about different aspects of life, like “Cooking” and “Travelling”. In this way, you can learn real-life English and be inspired by other people at the same time. The procedure for searching is demonstrated on the right hand side:

If you want to save the audio for later off-line
usage or amusement, you can download it.

Sometimes, you may find some series good enough that you want to keep up with their progress. In this case, you should subscribe. Subscription can be done easily by clicking a button. Shown as right hand side:

After subscription, the program will inform you when new releases are available and the download will be automatically done.

Start your adventure, improve your English

Now, you have got all you need. You are able to search, download and subscribe, all that is left is to take action. But before that, let me give you some tips:

1. Pay attention to the words used in the saying. This way, you can learn to speak brief and clear English and become more aware of the proper use of words.

2. Pay attention to the tone. This helps you learn to speak more naturally and confidently, you will also be more capable to understand people’s meaning.

3. Learning is important, but fun is equally important. Learning with fun gives efficiency, so make your learning delightful by starting with your favorite theme/topic of learning.

4. Explore new podcasts and functions, anytime, anywhere.

Some recommended podcasts:

Sources of pictures

1.  BBC
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts)

2.  Google
(http://www.google.com)

3.  Apple
(http://www.apple.com/itunes/)

Other pictures are taken from windows XP

Acknowledgements:

1.  My teacher Ashley for answering loads of my questions.

2.  Course coordinator Patrick Desloge and staff of CAES for fast replies to my enquiries.

3.  Anyone else who has helped me in completing this journal.

Written by Kwong Sai Hin