StoryCorps Listening Journals
Intended students:
Intermediate level English in an IEP for a one-year study abroad university program. This activity has been used in writing classes, but is also appropriate for listening classes or integrated skills.
Time needed: 15-20 minutes
Objectives:
Procedure:
Material:
Evaluation:
Students may have a difficult time understanding the accents of some of the podcast speakers as they range from all over the United States. If it is too difficult, allow them to choose another podcast of interest for this activity.
References:
Intermediate level English in an IEP for a one-year study abroad university program. This activity has been used in writing classes, but is also appropriate for listening classes or integrated skills.
Time needed: 15-20 minutes
Objectives:
- To practice extensive listening
- To motivate students with interesting listening material
- To write a story summary and response
Procedure:
- Introduce the StoryCorps website in class. These are real stories in short radio interviews (approximately 2-4 minutes long each). It may be helpful to recommend certain topics (under Themes) that students would find interesting, such as Friendship, Growing Up, Teachers, or Work.
- As a weekly homework assignment or computer lab activity, students search the StoryCorps website to find a podcast interview on any topic of interest. Listen as many times as necessary to understand the basics of the story.
- Students write a one-page summary and response to the story they heard. These journal entries can be submitted electronically or in a small notebook, depending on teacher preference.
Material:
- StoryCorps website for podcasts
- Classroom computer with internet, projection and sound
Evaluation:
Students may have a difficult time understanding the accents of some of the podcast speakers as they range from all over the United States. If it is too difficult, allow them to choose another podcast of interest for this activity.
References:
- Teaching idea from Joann Anderson, Hope International University
- StoryCorps on NPR: http://storycorps.org/