Do you have an iPod or another type of .mp3 player? If so, have you used it or anything other than listening to your own music, such as downloading and listening to podcasts? Note some of the points McQuillan made about how podcasting can support second language learning. Which of the ideas from the readings would you be interested in trying out in your own classroom?
I have one mp3. I use it to listening English dialogue, music, film sound recording. The first semester at UTSA, I was afraid that I may miss important comments by the teachers or classmates, so I used the mp3 to record others’ lectures under permission. After the class, listening the records helped me to review the content and improve my listening at the same time. I also use mp3 record my speech to check my pronunciation and tone of reading.
I like to give assignment to my students to create their own audio or video materials. Because the download materials may make students listen passively, it is more motivating and interesting to produce own files. To make better records, students may compare own speaking with native speaker’s pronunciation. I think the skills of listening and speaking are mutually influence and promote. It is necessary to give students more chances to speak bravely.
And I really recommend students listen to the Voice of America’s Special English Podcasts. This podcast involves multiple topics in which students can choose what they are interested in. And because the VOA is news broadcast, its concise and logical language is a good model for students.
February 25, 2010 at 11:01 PM
I had recorded the lecture when I studied in Origion, bcause one of my class would give a quiz from the lecture in the next class. I had troble of note taking, and I usually couldn't catch up the lecture. Thus, I recorded the lecture, and listened it many times and then took notes. It help me to do well on the quizes, and training my listening and note taking. However, I spent a lot of time to listen it and to take note because I have to repeat it many times.
April 30, 2010 at 9:18 PM
i like the idea of using ipod to record the lucture because i hve hard time to take a note too my be i will think of that for my next class