PodCast Review
1) Provide a link to the podcast on your blog. Give general information about the content and quality.
This American Life : http://www.thisamericanlife.org/
This podcast deals with various theme based epiosodes related with issues or events which Americans are closely involved in. The theme varies from everday life stories of Americans to historic or topical issues but mostly it touches people's curiosity and interests. The name of podcast seems to literally describe its contents. Each episode, which is contributed by group of writers, is composed like a real documentary or interview show containing the authentic speech of various American speakers. Raw and vivid listening materials for ESL speakers of highly advanced level.
Under the same theme several independant episodes are often put together and divided by acts (Act 1, Act 2...), for which even an hour-taking shows would not bore the listeners or shake their attention.
The fastest way to pick the episode is using "favorites" menu providing a selected episode list. Or you can use "ways to explore" which allows your search by tag (theme), by date and by contributor. The one of the most useful function for ESL speakers would be a transcript availabilty. Of course you can share the contents either by a whole episode or by acts just through embeding the code wherever you want.
A new update comes up every week and free for download.
2) What do you think about the podcast? Which type of learners could benefit from the podcast?
- Language learning is not limited to learn about the language itself. Rather it should be a process of broadening our cognitive span and enriching cultural contexts. In this regards, this podcast could give you abundant Amerian cultural input on top of linguistic benefits. In the authentic and colorful speech of different speakers we can listen to vivid audio show about what Americans are interested in now or current issues they are caring for or even several hundreds year old history. Yes, it seems to be true that it requires high degree of listening competency and culture contextual understanding to absorb the contents fairly well, for which many of standard learners might feel frustrated. I, however, think it is worthwhile to linger on this podcast to step up both liguisitic and cultural cognitive proficiency. The transcripts will be a great support to most ESL learners.
Along with the ubiquitous feature of the podcast, as a mobile/IT based tool, the English learning gets available at any time and any place.
- Audio and interpersonal type of highly advanced learners could benefit from the podcast since it provides vast amounts of listening data rather than inducing both-way interactions or engaging with visual effects. Especially well-motivated and self-driven learners targeting for increasing listening competency would welcome the podcast. Speaking compentency, however, could be promoted if combining speaking activities such as "shadowing what you listened" or "re-telling the story", etc.., which could get along with verbal type learners as well. With provided transcripts learners can easily self-check their task success level. Depending on how the podcast is put in learning methods, I think the benefits could emerge to various types of learners.
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