Podcast Media to Improve Listening Skill

Tria Rohmatul `Aziz/TBI D/204200107

Introduction

Currently, the era is progressing. Many technological advances are happening. One of
them is in the field of education. Currently, education does not necessarily use ancient methods
as teaching materials. Included in learning English and skills in it. In learning English there are
several skills that must be possessed in it. One of the skills in English is listening. According
to Toyib, listening skill is an important skill as well as other skills. He also said that listening
is not limited to paying attention to what is said but requires more attention to processing the
information we catch to achieve the goal.1 Therefore, in listening learning, it is necessary to
have media that supports and makes it easier for students to capture learning that is arranged
appropriately. One of the media designed to help improve listening skills is podcast media
which will be discussed next.

According to O'Bryan and Hegelmer Podcast is audio that can be downloaded via the
internet. Podcasts were first discovered in 2004. Podcasts themselves are made like audio
recordings that can be downloaded and listened to in the form of an MP3 Player.2 Podcasts are
delivered online automatically via websites, so they are different from other audio. The podcast
itself utilizes recorded sound and contains information or discussion. This essay is intended to
explore the advantages and disadvantages of using podcast media in learning to improve
listening skills.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Podcast Media

Podcasts are very popular in learning. According to Mufidah, podcasts are flexible and
can be played repeatedly if there is difficulty in understanding the speaker's intent.3 According
to Zellatifanny, podcasts have the added advantage of not only engaging, they can also choose

1
Muhammad Toyib, Syafiq Humaisy, and M. Harir Marzuki. “Penggunaan Podcast dalam (STAD) untuk
Meningkatkan Kemampuan Menyimakpada Mata Kuliah Listening I Prodi Tadris Inggris Jurusan Tarbiyah
STAIN Ponorogo”. Journal Kodifikasia, no. 1 (2012), 43-63.
2
A. O’Bryan and Hegelheimer. “Integrating CALL Into the Classroom: The Role of Podcasting in an ESL
Listening Strategies Course.” Journal ReCALL, no. 2 (2007), 162-180.
3
Mufidah Nur Amalia. “Tren Podcast sebagai Media dalam Pengajaran Bahasa Kedua: Sebuah Kajian
Pustaka.” Biormatika: Jurnal Ilmiah Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, no. 2 (2021), 168-176.
to listen anytime and anywhere and repeat audio segments they have missed.4 Research
conducted by Harahap also states that students have an interest and motivation to learn through
podcast media which results in an increase in their listening skills.5 In addition, they also apply
the search for learning resources using technology. According to Beylefeld, the podcast
learning experience provides opportunities for learning with technology and applying lifelong
learning.6

On the other hand, podcast media has some disadvantages that must be considered.
Podcasts talk too much about something that not everyone can understand. The very complex
discussion in podcasts makes some people feel unable to understand what is being discussed.
There are many materials or topics discussed in podcasts, therefore the teacher must be able to
select according to the needs of students and learning. In a study conducted by Darwis on class
XI high school students in Bandung, it was stated that they complained about the length of the
podcast is too long.7 In addition, according to Julia, the use of podcasts in learning needs to be
considered because it can cause students to feel bored.8

Conclusion

Podcasts can easily provide a learning experience through their strengths. However, in
using podcasts as learning media, to get the expected results and in accordance with the wishes,
there are several things that must be considered, especially the lack of podcasts for students. In
addition, podcasts also provide several advantages in improving listening skills. It is evident
from several studies that show there are significant differences in listening learning before
using podcasts and after using podcasts.

4
Cut Medika Zellatifanny. “Tren Dimensi Konten Audio on Demand melalui Podcast: Sebuah Peluangdan
Tantangan di Indonesia.” Journal Pekomas, no. 2 (2020) 117-132.
5
S. D. Harahap. “Podcast Impacts on Students’ Listening Skill: A Case Study Based on Students’
Perceptions.” Journal Inovasi Penelitian, no. 4 (2020) 891-900.
6
A. A. Beylefeld, Hugo, A. Geyer. “More Learning and Less Teaching? Students’ Perceptions of a
Histology Podcast.” South African Journal of Higher Education, no. 5 (2009).
7
R. Darwis. “Students’ Perceptions Towards The Use of Podcast in Learning English: A Case Study of
The Second Grade Students at One High School In Bandung.” Journal of English and Education, (2016) 21.
8
H. Julia and Adnan. “Teaching Spoken Narrative to Senior High School High School Students by Using
Podcast.” No.2 (2019) 9.
 REFERENCES

Amalia M. N. “Tren Podcast sebagai Media dalam Pengajaran Bahasa Kedua: Sebuah Kajian
Pustaka.” Biormatika: Jurnal Ilmiah Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, no. 2
(2021), 168-176.
Beylefeld A. A., Hugo, A. Geyer. “More Learning and Less Teaching? Students’ Perceptions
of a Histology Podcast.” South African Journal of Higher Education, no. 5 (2009).
Darwis, R. “Students’ Perceptions Towards The Use of Podcast in Learning English: A Case
Study of The Second Grade Students at One High School In Bandung.” Journal of
English and Education, (2016) 21.
Harahap S. D. “Podcast Impacts on Students’ Listening Skill: A Case Study Based on Students’
Perceptions.” Journal Inovasi Penelitian, no. 4 (2020) 891-900.
Julia H., and Adnan. “Teaching Spoken Narrative to Senior High School High School Students
by Using Podcast.” No. 2 (2019) 9.
O’Bryan A. and Hegelheimer. “Integrating CALL Into the Classroom: The Role of Podcasting
in an ESL Listening Strategies Course.” Journal ReCALL, no. 2 (2007), 162-180.
Toyib. M., Syafiq Humaisy, and M. Harir Marzuki. “Penggunaan Podcast dalam (STAD) untuk
Meningkatkan Kemampuan Menyimakpada Mata Kuliah Listening I Prodi Tadris
Inggris Jurusan Tarbiyah STAIN Ponorogo”. Journal Kodifikasia, no. 1 (2012), 43-63.
Zellatifanny C. N. “Tren Dimensi Konten Audio on Demand melalui Podcast: Sebuah
Peluangdan Tantangan di Indonesia.” Journal Pekomas, no. 2 (2020) 117-132.