Podcasts in Language Classrooms
Podcasts are great resources for foreign language classrooms, and they can be used in a variety of ways to improve language skills. There are so many different podcasts about many different topics that you can use in the classroom. I have found a website which is mainly used by parents homeschooling their kids. It is called The Wired Homeschool. You can find podcasts about many different topics on this website, and use it in your flipped classroom.
I most liked that you can find podcasts about current events, issues, technologies etc. on this website. For example, I can assign this podcast Are Road-Crossing Workshops R eally Necessary? as homework. I can ask students to listen to it and write their reactions to the podcast. Or I could have students listen to the podcast and ask them questions and have a discussion in the classroom. Students will be able to connect their already existing knowledge to the content of the podcast and reflect on the topic of the podcast in writing. Students will be listening for details and it will contribute to their listening comprehension skills.