Can you learn a language through podcasts?
Mastering a foreign language requires time, effort, and a good balance of input (listening and reading) and output (speaking and writing).
Reading in your target language, whether using a graded reader or the actual text, is an excellent method to develop your vocabulary, learn grammar (without opening a grammar book), and reinforce words and phrases you already know.
On the other hand, podcasts are increasing in popularity and are usually seen as polyglots' "secret weapon."
Benefits of Learning a Language with Podcasts
Because of the abundance of podcasts available, more language learners than ever before are turning to them. It's clear why podcasts provide various advantages for language learners, including the following.
Easy to use
Listening to a podcast is simple because your phone is constantly with you.
With only a few taps of your phone, you can obtain excellent language input, whether waiting for a bus, lounging in bed in the evening, or going for a walk. There is no need to prepare; you do not need a speaking partner; put in your headphones, press play, and enjoy the program.
You can even multitask: whether you're washing the dishes, going for a run, or doing chores, listening to podcasts in your target language allows you to receive feedback while doing something else.
Before podcasts, obtaining audio input was time-consuming, particularly for less common languages. You are unlikely to have access to radio or television so that you may be limited to pre-recorded conversations. Fortunately, podcasts allow you to add information from other sources while discussing with a partner or tutor.
Interesting material
Gone are the days when "input" in your target language had to be lengthy textbooks about vocabulary, grammar, or even fake role-playing sentences.
The number of podcasts, particularly in English, French, and Spanish, offers many options. What's the best news? You do not have to select just one.
Podcasts let you learn about a wide range of topics. You could want to listen to a history show one day, a true-crime show the next, and possibly even a grammar episode before ending the week with a sports show.
Because they are free, you may choose a few that look interesting, listen to a few episodes, keep the ones you enjoy, and skip the ones you don't.
The simplicity with which you may switch and the variety of options offered guarantee that you remain interested and learn more effectively.
They are free
Although some podcasts offer pricey add-ons like transcripts or vocabulary lists, listening to them is free. Many podcasts will have sponsorships; however, these advertisements are straightforward to eliminate.
They can help you communicate
You might have imagined that podcasts improved your listening skills. After all, "listening" is what podcasts are all about.
However, you may be shocked that podcasts can help you improve your speaking skills.
Why?
Listening to podcasts provides a similar purpose. Listening to a podcast in your target language exposes you to natural language, including words and phrases natives use.
While it is OK to "listen," most influential language learners will utilize this "listening" as an activity, such as sitting down and highlighting new words, pausing to review unfamiliar phrases, recording oneself summarising the podcast, or shadowing.
Two methods to learn languages using podcasts
These are just a handful of the most common benefits of using podcasts to learn a language. We've seen some wonderfully creative podcast submissions from a broad spectrum of students at Leonardo English.
One language learner, a native Chinese speaker seeking a Master's degree in Translation and Interpretation, uses them to practise "real-time" interpretation.
Another language learner, a Spanish speaker dubbed "The Hungry Learner" by her friends, devised a 7-day study plan based only on podcasts.
Here's what she does:
- DAY 1: Listening (just audio).
- DAY 2: Listening and reading (with subtitles).
- DAY 3: Read the transcript aloud and underline key phrases.
- DAY 4: Shadowing + Writing (summary and personal perspective, 150-180 words)
- Day 5: Shadowing and Speaking (summary, personal perspective, recording)
- DAY 6: Making flashcards with vocabulary using the Quizlet app (free version).
- DAY 7: Listening (just audio).