Ready to HEAR about PODCASTS?

What is a podcast?
A podcast is an audio file that you download from the Internet. After you download it, you can listen to it on your computer or an MP3 portable music player.You can subscribe to a podcast so that it is delivered to you automatically each day, just like a newspaper.

During my trip on podcasts' world I've found a quantity of websites which offer a number of podcasts that might be useful for our English listening practice.

1.English Listening language Lab Online.

As you can guess from the name of the site, this is a sort of English Listening Lab Online.Every week you can find new listenings about different topics. It is divided into four sections:Interviews, Mixer, Listening Games and Listening Points. I think it is well made and effective also because it offers comprehension activities, quizz games and transcripts for each podcasts.

2. NPR: Podcast Directory

Directly from American Radio NPR you can read and HEAR a world of news.Obviously they are constantly updated and you can choose among many subjects concerning business, entertainment, science, culture,health..

In my opinion what is important about this site is that you can test your listening skills with a reliable source material..For this reason, sometimes language can be difficult to understand but don't worry!..you can search for transcripts!

3.American Rhetoric:Top 100 Speeches.

If you want to take a leap into the past..please don't miss this site!

Here you can find 100 of the most famous American rhetoric speeches ever.These podcasts are not only effective in order to improve your listening abilities ,but also to remind you of American history: Martin Luther King, Kennedy, Malcom x, Roosvelt...

I was really thrilled to hear the famous "I have a dream!"...

Photos sources:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/86721903@N00/181299748/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/acdbulls/168489903/