Audio+I

=Audio I - Podcasts, etc.= = =

**What is podcasting?**
Podcasting is, simply put, audio and video you can download and listen to wherever and whenever you want. Many people take advantage of this to listen to radio programmes, etc using portable mp3 players. It is a very powerful tool for language learning and teaching because it gives us access to thousands of different speakers and offers a rich variety of subjects.

For more about podcasting, read this [|Beginners Guide to Podcasting]

**Finding Podcasts**
The easiest place to start is by [|downloading iTunes], free music software - there's a special section on podcasts in the iTunes Music store and you can download them for free.

**Evaluating Podcasts for Listening**
//Choose one from each category below and listen to a section of the podcast/look at the site - would you use it with your learners? Why? Why not?// //If you have time, look for one more using Google/iTunes that you think/know your students would like//

**__1) ELT Professionally-produced podcasts__**

 * British Council's LearnEnglish Elementary podcasts **Details:** magazine format with lots of activities to support it
 * British Council's Big City Small World **Details:** audio soap
 * The Road Less Travelled from **[|Onestopenglish.com] Details:** Intermediate podcast soap opera
 * The Well from **[|Onestopenglish.com] Details:** serialised story

**__2) ELT semi-professional / amateur podcasts__**

 * [|English as a Second Language podcast] **Details:** semi-professional educator-produced podcast, magazine format one of the most popular ESL/EFL podcasts - transcripts available and extra material on subscription
 * [|The Bob and Rob Show]**Details:** amateur, teacher-produced podcast, conversational magazine
 * [|English Conversations] **Details:** teacher-produced, story-telling, interviews, authentic. With transcripts, etc.

**__3) ELT podcasts with students__**

 * [|Splendid Speaking] advanced speaking skills for students **Details:** semi-professional, educator-produced podcast, interviews and tips for speaking [|transcripts are available only to subscribers]
 * [|Bardwell Road Centre Podcast] **Details:** teacher-produced, class recordings and presentations

**__4) Authentic, non-ELT podcasts__**

 * [|Absolutely Intercultural] educator-produced interview and comment **Details:** semi-professional, magazine format example of how an episode has been adapted for use in EFL class
 * [|Notes for Spain] **Details:** amateur, conversational and anecdotal format


 * Looking for more?**

TheConsultants-E has a very good list of Favourite podcasts for English teachers and their students