The role of podcasts in improving listening skills for students learning english as a foreign language

Viktoriia Bielova; Tetiana  Harbuza; Alla  Nypadymka; Yuliia  Radchenko; Hanna  Starosta

doi:10.55028/yr121x72

Authors

Viktoriia Bielova State University of Trade and Economics (SUTE) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5427-8943
Tetiana Harbuza State University of Trade and Economics https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2346-5156
Alla Nypadymka State University of Trade and Economics https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3267-6323
Yuliia Radchenko State University of Trade and Economics https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6534-4360
Hanna Starosta State University of Trade and Economics https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3746-4648

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55028/yr121x72

Abstract

The study deals with the role of English-language podcasts in improving the listening skills of students learning English as a foreign language. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of the systematic use of podcasts in developing listening skills and increasing students’ learning motivation. The study involved 200 students of five levels of English proficiency (A1–C1). A pedagogical experiment with pre- and post-testing was conducted during the 2024–2025 academic year and lasted 36 weeks (64 online classes via Google Meet). Data were collected through listening pre- and post-tests, a motivation questionnaire, and open-ended student responses, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-tests, and Pearson correlation analysis. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in listening performance across all groups (p < 0.01). The highest increase was recorded at level B1 (+18.3%), while levels A2 and B2 showed gains of +16.3% and +14.4%, respectively. Motivation also increased from 54–78% to 62–84%, with the greatest changes at levels A2–B1. A positive correlation was found between improved listening and increased motivation (r = 0.71; p < 0.01). The findings support the pedagogical value of podcasts as authentic digital resources for the development of listening skills in students learning English as a foreign language.

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Author Biographies

Viktoriia Bielova, State University of Trade and Economics (SUTE)

PhD in Education, Associate professor, Department of Modern European Languages, Faculty of International Trade and Law, State University of Trade and Economics, Kyiv, Ukraine. E-mail: viktoriiastuntud@gmail.com
Tetiana Harbuza, State University of Trade and Economics

PhD in Education, Head of the Department, Associate Professor, Department of Modern European Languages, Faculty of International Trade and Law, State University of Trade and Economics, Kyiv, Ukraine. E-mail: tetianahrsutedote@gmail.com
Alla Nypadymka, State University of Trade and Economics

PhD in Philology, Associate Professor, Department of Modern European Languages, Faculty of International Trade and Law, State University of Trade and Economics, Kyiv, Ukraine. E-mail: allantustatute@gmail.com
Yuliia Radchenko, State University of Trade and Economics

Senior lecturer, Department of Modern European Languages, Faculty of International Trade and Law, State University of Trade and Economics, Kyiv, Ukraine. E-mail: yuliiaradchenkoasntudpkl2@gmail.com
Hanna Starosta, State University of Trade and Economics

Senior lecturer, Department of Modern European Languages, Faculty of International Trade and Law, State University of Trade and Economics, Kyiv, Ukraine. E-mail: hannadldm1sute@gmail.com

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