Listening to Diverse English Voices through Podcasts

Traditionally, many English language teachers around the world have conformed to an English as a foreign language (EFL) model. In this model, they expose their students to the standard language norms of English-dominant nations, such as the United States and the United Kingdom. However, English learners do not only need language skills to communicate with native speakers from these nations. As globalization, technology, and migration bring people around the world into more frequent and sustained contact, learners also need to be able to engage with other speakers of English as an additional language. Therefore, a more appropriate model is English as an international language (EIL), which emphasizes users' ability to communicate with diverse global English users. To help students develop these abilities, teachers can use diverse listening materials that expose students to varied language models. In this article, we recommend podcasts as a rich source of diverse listening materials. Although we recommend using podcasts in intermediate- or advanced-level classes, with appropriate planning podcasts can be used even with beginner students. Below, we first explain what podcasts are and how they help students develop listening skills. Then, we describe strategies to include podcasts in listening lessons, based on our experiences in a listening course for first-year English major students at an Islamic university in Central Java, Indonesia. Finally, we share feedback from our students to offer recommendations for teachers interested in using podcasts in their own listening lessons and courses.