ESOL and making podcasts: pronunciation, presentation, expression (level 1-2)

What is the course about?

You will improve your English on this course by learning how to make podcasts on a variety of topics and in different forms including descriptive narrative, explanations, opinion pieces and interviews. By learning how to sound interesting and engaging to your listeners, you will learn how to improve your pronunciation, use stimulating vocabulary, structure your podcast, and ask questions with correct stress and intonation. By being able to listen back to yourself you will be able to identify where you need to improve and where your strengths are. In addition to improving your English, you will also learn about podcasting such as the best software to use, how to record yourself, upload files and edit them. You will learn skills which will help you in the workplace as well as in your daily life.

What will we cover?

• making podcasts on a variety of topics for example music, film, politics and current affairs
• creating descriptive narratives, giving explanations, opinions, comments and interviews
• how to sound engaging and interesting using stress, intonation and the right vocabulary
• how to give an opinion, make critical judgements and give recommendations and opinions
• how to identify your strengths and areas for improvement
• how to structure a podcast so it links together with a good introduction and conclusion with well with effective arguments and evidence for opinions
• how to use software for making podcasts so you can record yourself and others and upload and edit files
• creating a series of class podcasts.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• make podcasts on a variety of topics for example music, film, politics and current affairs
• create descriptive narratives, give explanations, opinions and comments and conduct interviews
• use stress, intonation and the right vocabulary to sound engaging and interesting
• use different pronunciation strategies to sound fluent and interesting
• use a variety of phrases and modal verbs to give opinions and make critical judgements and recommendations
• use a variety of verb tenses so your meaning is clear including use of continuous and simple forms to show background and main information
• identify your strengths and areas for improvement in your spoken English
• structure a podcast so it links together with a good introduction and conclusion with well with effective arguments and evidence for opinions
• make notes effectively to help you plan your work
• use software for making podcasts, record yourself, others and upload and edit files
• create a series of class podcasts

By the end of this course you will also have improved your English and your digital skills through use of digital recording devices, computers and the internet.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is a Level 1-Level 2 course i.e.. for students at a good intermediate level and above. It is ideal for anyone who wants to take their English to the next level in a creative way. Access to a smartphone or PC at home will be advantageous and you will need to have some basic computing skills. This course will be particularly useful for anyone who has to give presentations, use IT at work or engage in a professional way with members of the public. You will need to download the free Audacity software and have a headset with mic to do this course.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment with an emphasis on your discovering how to do and complete tasks, with guidance from the tutor. You will work on your own and with other students on different tasks so you are always practising important in-demand life and work skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, prioritising, negotiating, collaborating and independence. You will learn in a step by step manner so you can complete challenging tasks in enjoyable and relaxing ways. Your tutor will also work with you individually so you know how to improve and how to work in a way that improves your learning. You will need to do work outside the classroom and use Google Classroom to help you.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need a pen, some lined A4 paper and a file to keep your work in. Your tutor will provide handouts and a code for Google classroom so you can communicate with classmates and access materials, videos etc. online.
Please note you will need to download the free Audacity software and have a headset with mic to do this course.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

There are many courses you can do before, at the same time or after this course. These include:

• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (level 1 speaking and listening)
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (level 1 reading and writing)
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (level 2 speaking and listening)
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (level 2 reading and writing)
• Workplace communication skills: customer care and front of house hospitality (ESOL level 1-level 2)
• Develop your writing and language skills (level 1-level 2)
• A mile in my shoes: how to tell a story (level 1-2)
• ESOL pronunciation: stage 1 (level 1-2)
• Communication skills: read well, write well (level 1-level 2)
• English dialogue: speaking, listening, pronunciation, performance (level 1-2)
• Matters of opinion (level 2)
• Writing skills in practice: upper intermediate (level 1-2)
• ESOL: communication skills for work and life - formal, informal, polite, challenging conversation and writing (level 1-2)
• ESOL: communication skills for work and life - letters, emails, meetings, presentations and reports (level 1-2)

You can also do classes in the maths and digital skills areas.
For more information, talk with your tutor or contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 4582 0423.