Skype and postcasting

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Skype and Podcasting: Disruptive Technologies for Language Learning

New technologies provide several opportunities for language learning. Onto these opportunities we can find a series of options for oral language practice. A good example of these emerging technologies are Skype and podcasting and they both allow for new and different ways of doing familiar tasks. Skype is a free alternative telephone service, this service requires a high-speed internet connection to function properly. Podcasting, also known as the "radio for the people," provides a different version of broadcast media. Both have had intense interest and have reach great popularity. Both technologies offer great opportunities for language professionals and learners, as they provide additional channels for oral communication.

I personally think that both, skype and podcasting are good alternatives to teach english or any other language but it will be necessary a great training to teachers for them to use these programs in classes properly. Besides, I think that it is not always possible to get the materials required for the usage of these programs, specially in poor schools, where internet is their maximum resourse. For example in the cases of Skype or audioblog it is indispensable to have access to headphones and microphones and most of the times those gadgets do not work very well or even they are not present at schools. However, it is very important that the teacher teaches these programs to his/her students in order they to know how to use them and how to seize the resourses they are given.

In my opinion, we as teachers of english, should learn about most of the new technologies to improve our lessons and make more significant our classes, thus our students will feel more comfortable and will enjoy even more our classes.