Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab

This week we're taking a look at Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab. The lab offers many features and is free to use. We're all about the free stuff here at The Paradigm Shift podcast. I found this site because Robert Diem has a link to it on his site, The Daily Idiom. Way to go, Robert!

I want to give you an overview of the site first. So let's take a quick look at its features. The site includes:

• Streaming audio and video content through Real Player;
• Over 150 original activities and quizzes;
• Activities and quizzes are categorized according to difficulty level;
• Activities contain a variety of tasks and learning opportunities;
• Pre- and post-listening activities.

You will need Real Player to listen to the audio files. No problem--free download and available for Mac and that other operating system that the kids like.

The Interface

Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab is easy to navigate around and has a reasonably intuitive interface. The ESL students I have had working in the lab have been able to move around the site with relative ease and success. It's far too early to demonstrate significant growth (about two weeks), but they have found the lessons to be a fun way to improve their listening comprehension.

eBoard

The show has been posted. Your media aggregator will probably create a new playlist in your audio software called Paradigm Shift. I was recording until the wee hours of the morning after experiencing a number of audio troubles, which were not to be outdone by problems with the PHP file and the feed. I apologize if I sound half-asleep at times. I was determined to get it done, though! To check out the show, click here. To have each show automatically loaded onto your audio player software, simply follow the directions near the bottom of the sidebar on the right.

Check out eBoard!! It allows you to post assignments and attachments online as well as keeping a calendar and gathereing student reactions through iNotes.

We've also got The Daily Idiom by Robert Diem.

Next week, we're going to review Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab.

My brother, Marshall, has just become a published author. His book, Adventures As Dogboy, is available through Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble. Congratulations, Marshall!! I can't wait to read it!