Language Technology – Podcasts!

Podcasts are useful sources of technology for many reasons. During the last language technology class, we focused on the use of podcasts in order to aid and assist language learners in the development of a second language. The podcasts do not necessarily need to ‘teach’ language, but listeners can acquire language through watching and listening to the meaningful interactions taking place.

In order to present this idea, I have selected three podcast series which aim to teach French to beginners.

Podcast Series One: BBC Ma France Series
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/rmhttp/downloadtrial/bbc2/mafrance-learnfrench-videopodcast/rss.xml


I have chosen this series of podcasts as they fulfil many of the criteria for optimal language learning, as detailed below:

• Interaction and NegotiationThe podcasts demonstrate the use of language through showing meaningful interactions. For example, in the ‘Shopping and Paying’ episode, you can see the customers interacting with staff at the supermarket and market. The interaction is meaningful and real negotiations are occurring. The podcast uses audio, video and text (through the use of subtitles) which accommodates interaction with the viewer in several different ways.
• Authentic Audience & Task The tasks are authentic as they are varied and based around practical knowledge such as ordering food, making phone calls and house hunting activities. I would argue that the audience in this situation is authentic as they select the form, language and topic for learning.
• Varied Creative LanguageThe language used in the podcast is creative and varied which allows learners to use the knowledge and vocabulary taught in a more creative way by structuring their own sentences. The language learnt will assist the learner in expanding on fixed expressions. The podcast also makes suggestions on questions the learner may want to ask and not just basic information: this is vital for meaningful and authentic exchanges also.
• Appropriate Time/FeedbackThe user can access at any time, and the series consists of 12 individual podcasts allowing the learner to choose when they wish to watch them.
• Learner AutonomyThe student has control over the development of their knowledge as they are able to learn and develop without the aid of a physical teacher, in their own time, and how they best prefer.

Podcast Series Two: Learn French By Podcast
http://www.learnfrenchbypodcast.com/guide.php?id=35


I have selected this series of podcasts as I found it useful to select the level of language learning you wish to work at. In this instance, I have selected ‘Beginner’ and this particular podcast deals with a discussion and interaction about asking how a person is. I found this interesting as I found it a meaningful topic, and enjoyed the dialect between the French conversationalists.


Again, I feel that the series of podcasts fulfil many of the criteria for optimal language learning, as discussed below:

• Interaction and NegotiationThe interaction continues between two French people, with an English narrator. The interaction is meaningful and I feel the negotiation that occurs during the conversation is useful for acquiring new language and vocabulary. However, this podcast is just audio and I sometimes found it difficult to follow successfully without the aid of imagery or text.
  
• Authentic AudienceAgain, I would argue that the audience in this situation is authentic as they select the form, language and topic for learning.


• Authentic Task I feel that a major strength of this series of podcasts is that each of the podcasts are based on a very specific theme which is beneficial for learning and expanding on vocabulary skills as a base for language learning.


• Learner AutonomyThe learner is able to control their level of learning through completing the podcasts at their own time and speed of development. The incorporation of exercises on the podcast site allows the opportunity for learners to advance their learning by completing tasks and further investigatory work if they feel this would be an advantage to them.

Podcast Series Three: Daily French Pod
http://www.dailyfrenchpod.com/wordpress/2010/07/31/video-vocabulary-123/


The Daily French Pod is a daily podcast that uses audio, video and text to teach French vocabulary. It is possible to select the level of French most appropriate to your learning, and the topics vary from the simple to more advanced or obscure.

I found it interesting to investigate how the podcasts fulfil many of the criteria for optimal language learning, and have discussed this below:

• Interaction and Negotiation What I found particularly interesting about this series of podcasts is the way in which the technology and visual imagery is used in order to demonstrate the vocabulary being taught. For example, when a word is said in French, the mouse cursor moves to the image and then to the text in order to reinforce learning. I particularly liked this method of instruction.
• Authentic Audience & TaskI would argue that the audience in this situation is authentic as they select the form, language and topic for learning. I believe that the task is authentic as the vocabulary being taught is appropriate for the theme, and the guide then uses the vocabulary in sentences and structures to allow it to become meaningful for conversations. In my opinion, this is a useful tool for second language learning.
• Learner AutonomyAs mentioned previously, the student has control over the development of their knowledge as they are able to learn and develop without the aid of a physical teacher, in their own time, and how they best prefer.