Radio for language classes
Start a listening lesson with live radio.
Choose a station, play a short excerpt, then give students something specific to listen for. These three activities and printable field notes make it easy to begin.
01 / Find the sound
Pick your first stream.
Open a collection, choose a station and listen to it yourself before class.
Browse by language
Browse by place
Catalogue note A listing cannot guarantee that a stream is live, suitable for class or speaking the listed language at every moment.
02 / Give listening a purpose
Three ways to listen.
Use a short excerpt, set a stop time and replay it when possible. Students can share only what they feel comfortable sharing.
- 01
5–8 min
Any levelSound detectives
Notice the scene before interpreting the words.
- Before Predict what you might hear.
- Listen Note three sounds, one voice quality and one question.
- Compare Share observations before guessing meaning.
- 02
8–12 min
Developing listenersKnown and new words
Separate what was heard from what was guessed.
- Before Choose a stream in the target language.
- Listen Write familiar words and mark where they occurred.
- Compare Discuss what was clear, guessed or still unclear.
- 03
12–20 min
Intermediate and upSame topic, different voices
Compare delivery across two prepared excerpts.
- Before Preview two stations with a similar topic or format.
- Listen Notice pace, music, turn-taking and familiar phrases.
- Compare Describe accent and style without ranking speakers.
03 / Take it into class
Field notes for the first listen.
A single page with room to predict, notice three details and decide what to hear again. Students can write or draw in any language.
One listening session
Listen. Notice. Wonder.
Words, sketches and questions all count.Before listening
What do you expect to hear?
While listening
Write or draw three sounds, words or details you notice.
After listening
One thing I understood
One thing I wonder about
What would you like to hear again?