USING PODCASTS TO IMPROVE LISTENING COMPREHENSION IN EFL LEARNERS

PRINCIPAL ISSUES OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND MODERN EDUCATION Vol. 4 No.7 (2025) 4 USING PODCASTS TO IMPROVE LISTENING COMPREHENSION IN EFL LEARNERS Ismatova Dilbar Abdulakim qizi English teacher at Academic Lyceum 2 under TerDU Abstract The integration of digital technology into education has transformed the way languages are taught and learned. One of the most promising digital tools for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners is the podcast. This paper explores how podcasts can improve listening comprehension, which remains one of the most challenging skills for EFL learners to master. The article highlights the pedagogical advantages of podcasts, reviews key research findings, and presents practical strategies for their classroom and autonomous use. Keywords: podcasts, EFL, listening comprehension, language learning, digital education Introduction Listening comprehension is a fundamental aspect of second language acquisition, yet it is often cited as one of the most difficult skills for EFL learners to develop. Traditional listening activities are frequently limited to artificial dialogues or textbook recordings, which fail to represent authentic communication. The growing popularity of podcasts offers an innovative solution by providing authentic, diverse, and easily accessible listening material. Listening is the key to language input; it precedes and supports the development of speaking, reading, and writing. Podcasts address this limitation PRINCIPAL ISSUES OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND MODERN EDUCATION Vol. 4 No.7 (2025) 5 by offering exposure to authentic pronunciation, natural speech rate, and a wide variety of accents and topics. Podcasts are a highly flexible medium suitable for various learning contexts. Their advantages include authenticity, accessibility, variety, and motivation. They support independent learning and help develop listening strategies. Podcasts expose learners to authentic input that improves real-time processing and vocabulary acquisition. They also boost motivation and reduce listening anxiety. Effective podcast integration includes pre-listening (introducing vocabulary), during-listening (note-taking), and post-listening tasks (discussion, summaries, and creative projects). Challenges include difficulty level, passive listening, and access limitations. Recommended solutions: transcripts, guided tasks, and offline access. Studies (Hasan & Hoon, 2013; Yeh, 2014; Shiri, 2015) confirm the effectiveness of podcasts in improving listening comprehension, motivation, and learner autonomy. 1. Conclusion Podcasts offer an authentic, flexible method for improving EFL listening comprehension. Their strategic integration bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world communication. References 1. Hasan, M. M., & Hoon, T. B. (2013). Podcast applications in language learning: A review of recent studies. 2. O’Bryan, A., & Hegelheimer, V. (2007). Integrating CALL into the classroom: The role of podcasting. 3. Rahimi, M., & Katal, M. (2012). The role of metacognitive listening strategies and podcast-use readiness. 4. Rost, M. (2011). Teaching and Researching Listening. PRINCIPAL ISSUES OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND MODERN EDUCATION Vol. 4 No.7 (2025) 6 5. Shiri, S. (2015). The effects of podcasting on EFL learners’ listening comprehension. Yeh, C. C. (2014). Using podcasts to develop EFL listening comprehension.