University of Leicester

Duckling Project

This case study demonstrated an example of incorporation podcasting into a MA distance learning programme in Applied Linguistics and TESOL at the School of Education, the University of Leicester, UK. A series of podcasts were created to introduce language change and variation, World Englishes, bilingualism and language choice, demonstrate Phonology and provide guidance on the dissertation. By the time this case study is writing up, the development of podcasts is still ongoing. Initial findings from a small number of students showed that they perceived podcasts beneficial to their learning in ways of adding a human dimension, enriching teaching approaches to a distance learning programme, enhancing the understanding of subject-specific concepts and effective in demonstrating language variants.