Reading Prompt 5 reply

I don’t have an iPod or any other type of .mp3 player. My only experience with an iPod was borrowing a friend’s when I went on vacation. I ended up only listening to songs 3 times over a 3 week period. Checking out this ‘gadget’ gave me the opportunity to see if I would want one. I just didn’t get the fever. Knowing myself, I don’t have a need for gadgets. However, after reading Richardson’s chapter and the two articles, I do see value in using them for language learning/acquisition purposes.
McQuillan gives us several instances of podcasting in L2 classes. That iPods can offer students contextual support in the TL is amazing. In contrast with ESL textbook series, iPod downloads are always going to be current. The various features of an iPod make it a flexible resource for teachers. If listening is the lesson objective, the audio-only input can be utilized. For a reading lesson, iPod with text can be used, with the added support of audio and video.
Across the readings several ideas grabbed my attention. If I and my adult ESL students had iPods, accessing ‘ESL Podcast’ McQuillan mentions, along with ‘VOA Special English’ podcasts would be attempted. Both are current and relevant English programs the ESL learners would enjoy socially and academically. In Stansbury’s article, Poli’s use of the iPod for English music listening activities is a great idea. Be it grammar, spelling, and/or progressive verbs activities, it’s a fun and engaging way for students to practice and further English language acquisition. For individual student projects McQuillan discusses keeping an ‘audio diary’. This would be a great way for learners to speak and hear their voices, and in turn improve their English language speaking ability. Add to all the iPod English language uses, its portability allows students to practice beyond the classroom, easily and repetitively. The museum field trip illustrated a great way to record the experience with an iPod. Together the readings showed iPod usage yielded better success with language acquisition than the more traditional methods. Who knew an iPod could be a language learning tool!