Field Notes: The radio as an ESL learning tool

The radio has been around for a long time, and yet I feel as though it is one of the most overlooked learning tools for ESL students and ESL tutors.

I often ask my students to tune in to the radio in between tutoring sessions.  Why?  A lot of reasons!

1. The radio is an excellent way to pick up new ESL vocabulary.  This is especially true if your ESL students tune in and listen to a talk radio station such as NPR.

2. The radio is an excellent way for ESL students to listen to conversations in English in between tutoring sessions.  Being able to hear normal to fast-paced dialogue is great practice for the real world.

3. Exposure to conversational English is also a winner when it comes to learning about culture.  Music, jokes, topics of conversation, and holiday talk can all be great help to the ESL tutee who wants to learn more about the culture in which he or she is living.  Ask your tutees to bring a radio discussed topic or two with them to the next ESL tutoring session.

4. Music is a fantastic way to learn English.  Have you ever heard a catchy tune in an unfamiliar language?  Try it sometime.  I guarantee, after several listens, you will be singing along in another language!  With the help of a dictionary, frequently sung words suddenly go from being a mystery to being part of your ESL student's vocabulary.

The next time you get together with your students for ESL tutoring, bring up the radio idea.  It is fun, and your students are guaranteed to love it!

Tammy (again) from WI :)