learning vocabulary through using podcasts: a mixed-methods study

Using audio-visual aids has long been a source of benefit in education. podcasts, in particular, are now used for learning and teaching; however, some aspects are still uncovered. the present study investigated the impact of using podcasts as instructional tools on english as a foreign language (efl) learners’ vocabulary learning and evaluated their attitude toward listening to podcasts, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. in this mixed-methods study, a vocabulary pre-test was given to 60 male intermediate efl learners to check to be homogeneous regarding their vocabulary knowledge. then, they were divided into two experimental and control groups, each with 30 participants. the experimental group was instructed by the use of podcasts, but the control group continued with routine instruction, with no technological aids. they were given a post-test to examine their knowledge of vocabulary. also, to find out the students’ attitudes towards podcasting, an 8-item likert-type questionnaire was given to the participants in the podcasting group. in addition to the likert-type questionnaire on their attitudes, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 8 participants. the collected data were analyzed through statistical package for social science (spss) version 13 using t-test. the p-value was considered at 0.05 level of significance. the results revealed that the podcast group outperformed the control group in the post-test. the mean±sd for the control and experimental groups were 14.10±1.29 and 16.66±0.92, respectively (p=0.001). then, the thematic analysis revealed four themes: (1) vocabulary achievement, (2) learning by listening, (3) learner choice and flexibility, and (4) podcasts as useful instructional tools. the findings suggest that podcasts enhance learners’ vocabulary learning, thus emphasizing the pedagogical merits of podcasts in the enrichment of efl classes. the results may provide implications for curriculum development and second language (l2) vocabulary teaching and learning.