Listening tools

From the listening tools we have studied, I have realized there are so many good listening materials to be used during English classes through the internet.

Podcasting is the digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar program. It is possible to download audio or video file to your PC, and post them on the blog.

iTune U sites could be useful sites for college level students. Many American universities offer iTune U and all the students from around the world can download some of the lectures they want to listen to. I think this is brilliant idea because or else, students not in American would never have any chance to attend a Harvard lecture. These sites could arouse students' attention and motivate them. Since the lecture are designed for English speakers, and they are college-leveled, it could be difficult to comprehend at first. However, as students get used to listening them, it could increase their listening skills and also the knowledge about their major.

There are also podcasting sites for kids.
For example, there is a kids site called 'Storynory' which includes lots of children stories. Children can click on the story they wish to know about. The site provides listening and also the script so children can say aloud while listening to their favorite stories. Since many of the stories are already familiar to them, and they like those stories, children could be motivated. There are no videos available, but children can instead imagine the scenes from the stories because the recorded voice does an amazing job at the intonation and pronunciation, making it sound like a real life story.