[Speaking] PodBean

Last week, we just had a look at VoiceTube that can be used for extensive listening. Apart from listening, speaking is also crucial in having good communicative competence. This time I'll introduce how to use PodBean to help students practice speaking.

The index of PodBean (Web)

Brief Review of PodBean

Like VoiceTube, PodBean provides abundant materials for extensive listening. 

PodBean (Web)

One of the prominent differences is that on PodBean you only have soundtracks instead of videos. The topics on PodBean is also versatile, but the content is somewhat too authentic for learners to pick up the language. That is, while VoiceTube is organised and designed for multi-level learners, PodBean is suitable to higher level learners who can identify what to learn.

So, I'm going to focus on its FREE brilliant recording function for learners to practice speaking.

I recommend its application on mobile phone. It's available on both Android and iOS systems. As long as you use the same email/Facebook account to sign up, your PodBean accounts on PC and phone will be linked as one. It doesn't matter on which you sign up first.

   

PodBean (App) 

The layout of app version on mobile gadgets is clearer than that of the web version on PCs. Thus, it's much easier to manipulate on your phone or tablet. By tipping the blue, human-like item at the top right corner, you can enter your personal page. ( Just my feeling here. It depends on you! : P )

Besides, mobile devices are highly prevelant. They are almost a part of people's arms now. From this view, to students it's not only an useful tool but a motivational approach to integrate their "necessity" into ELL.

  My personal page (APP)

Now you know why I love the app version more!
The recording button is right there waiting for us!
Tip it and get into the recording interface!

The recording page

Once you tip the orange item, you can start recording your beautiful voice.
Before that, you may want to choose some lovely background music, making your record like a real broadcast! Also, you can stop and resume recording halfway, so you can take a break when recording if you want. : P

Choose an image, name it, and publish it!

When you finish recording, you can publish it to the net or save it as a draft. Then your product is accessible on both your PC and mobile device as you have connected them together by using the same mailbox/Facebook account.

Managing episode(s) on PC

As the recording task is perfectly done, you can share it to the world. According to the picture right above, you may have noticed that I can share my episode and embed it on blogs or wikis. The following is my sample for you.

Download this episode (right click and save)

Using PodBean in ELT

With this embedding function, I'd ask my students to make weekly broadcasts in turns. They can do it in pairs, introducing some class/school events, sharing their anecdotes, or making announcements. Then, they have to post it on a class Facebook page or class blog/wiki so that others can listen to it and give some feedback on it. Teachers can also leave private messages to correct the mistakes on form. Consequently, students have chances to practice speaking outside the classroom at ease.

(If you have any other ideas about using recording in ELT, please share with me. : D)

Conclusion

PodBean is a tool that allows you to make a free mp3 audio player and embed audio on any website. You can use text to speech, a microphone, or upload mp3 files to play on the Web. I do recommend that you do the recording on mobile phones and then share it via PCs.
It's really easy to use. No specific technique is required.
"A Podcast Social Subscribing site: Collect all your favorite podcasts in one place. Discover what other people are subscribing to. Play anywhere anytime, even when you are on the go."