Language Technology

Journal 2

Podcasts as language learning tools

DailyFrenchPod

http://www.dailyfrenchpod.com/

'French for Beginners' is a series of free daily podcasts created by DailyFrenchPod, a team of French teachers from Paris. This series combines podcasts, learning guides, key words, audio and PDF vocabulary sheets, grammar tutorials, and a large community of students and experts to practice with. The audio podcasts are available through iTunes but the website also provides short video clips and downloads to aid learning. I feel that this series meets many of the conditions for optimum language learning:

• Interaction & negotiation - the learner can use several different mediums (audio, video, text) and interact with others through the forum and skype sections on the web page.
• Authentic audience & task - the learner can practice independently but is also given the opportunity to share and learn from others, also the tasks are varied which makes the experience more interesting.
• Varied & creative language - each of the podcasts are centered around a different theme so that the learner can acquire new and varied vocabulary, whilst practicing the basics continually. Again, the number of different methods on offer ensures a varied approach to language learning.
• Appropriate time/feedback - daily podcasts set a high pace for learning and the user is able to collaborate with other learners to gain feedback.
• Learner autonomy - the user can work independently, although as the podcasts are released daily the learner is set a pace of learning that encourages progress.

I think that this podcast series would be a great introduction to French for Gina, firstly because it is aimed at beginners and other DailyFrenchPod series are available at higher levels to progress onto when the basics have been mastered. Secondly, I like that these podcasts are available daily and increase in the length as the level of language increases. Finally, from my own language learning experience I know the importance of following up the language skills and vocabulary that I have learned with different exercises to revise the content, therefore the numerous resources offered on the website should better enable Gina to retain the French she learns.

French Today

http://www.frenchtoday.com/a-moi-paris/

'A Moi Paris - Une Histoire au Present' is an audio book available in podcast form by chapters for French language beginners.  The podcasts tell the story of 3 young women who live, study and have fun in Paris, written entirely in the present tense, with increasing difficulty as the story develops. The transcripts of the dialogue are available on the web page which is extremely useful for beginners such as Gina, as it allows you to practice reading and listening skills simultaneously, and also enables the learner to go back over unfamiliar words or expressions. There are also accompanying exercises and questions to complete with each chapter. I think this would be a great way to develop language skills because it is a more interesting and engaging way to become exposed to different vocabulary. Some of the optimum conditions for language learning, I feel, that are achieved through this audio book are:

•  Authentic task - although the text has been written specifically for language learners, I think learning from a novel is a more authentic and interesting way to acquire language. 
• Varied & creative language - the novel is written only in the present tense as it is aimed at beginners, however over the 16 chapters there is a wide range of language used.
• Appropriate time - the learner is has the freedom to complete the chapters and follow up activities in any amount of time they need.
• Learner autonomy - each user learns independently, can revisit chapters and complete questions following the chapters.

Radio Lingua Network

http://radiolingua.com/shows/french/walk-talk-and-learn-french/

'Walk, Talk and Learn French' is a unique take on language learning through 10 short video podcasts. The aim of the series is to increase understanding of French grammar by being exposed to real French text.The videos are set in the streets of Paris where the presenter teaches grammar using real posters, adverts and notices that he finds. Part of each episode is also set in a studio where the co-presenter goes into more detail about the grammar of the language found in Paris. I think this is a really fun way for a beginner such as Gina to learn one of the less interesting (but essential) parts of the language. It also gives the viewer an insight into the country, the people and everyday life in France. Alone, this series may not provide enough understanding of the language in general as it is specifically focused on grammar, however I think this would be a great tool to use alongside the other podcasts listed above.
The optimum language learning conditions which I feel this podcast series achieves are:

•  Authentic tasks - the language that the learner is exposed to comes from real French sources, and the viewer sees the context of the text and where it was found through the video.
• Varied & creative language - again, the fact that the language is from authentic sources ensures that it will be varied and more interesting to the learner.
• Appropriate time - the video can be replayed as many times as the learner needs to ensure that they have understood.
• Guiding to use strategies - the introductory video talked about how the co-presenter would use the text found in Paris to teach French grammar, therefore I would expect strategies on how to use this grammar to be taught in this section.
• Learner autonomy - the learner can learn independently using this video podcast series.