LEVERAGING SPOTIFY PODCASTS TO BOOST LISTENING SKILLS: INSIGHTS FROM ENGLISH LEARNERS' PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

This study explores how English language learners use podcasts to improve their listening abilities, with an emphasis on their perceptions, the advantages and disadvantages of podcast usage, and the difficulties they face. Thirty English language learners from Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor 8, who are also the institution's teachers, participated in the study. Random sampling was used to choose participants, and Google Forms was used to deliver an online survey that gathered data. The purpose of the open-ended survey was to find out how students felt about podcasts as a tool for increasing their listening comprehension. Thematic analysis was used to examine the data, and the results were displayed as percentages to show important trends and patterns. The results show that learners have a positive perception of podcasts and consider them to be an important tool for improving listening skills. The capacity to rewatch episodes, the variety of content, and the flexibility of use are among the main benefits that have been noted. Students did, however, also point up a number of drawbacks, including the absence of visual aids, lengthy runs, and transcripts. Some students also mentioned having trouble focusing and being bored, which made it difficult for them to properly interact with the material. These findings have important ramifications for teachers and students who want to maximize the use of podcasts in language acquisition.