Using Audio Podcast-Based Learning in Enhancing EFL Students’ Listening Comprehension: EFL Sophomores’ Choices and Perspectives

Abstract

Listening is regarded to be a crucial skill that EFL learners seek to develop in order to understand the speaker and to avoid communication breakdowns. Podcast is one of the ICT tools that have proved to be effective in learning English, especially the listening skill. However, some Algerian curriculum designers are still not aware of this technology and its benefits. Thus, this study has investigated the perceptions from using podcast to enhance EFL learners‟ listening comprehension. For this sake, a questionnaire was distributed to 108 second year Bachelor students and an interview was conducted with 5 students as well at Bordj Bou Arreridj University. The results showed that students had positive attitudes towards the use of podcast to improve their listening comprehension. Although, there were some challenges faced by students in listening to podcast such as lack of concentration, the speaker‟s accent and speed, yet they consider it as a useful tool that facilitates learning listening courses