Utilizing Podcasts & Blogs, and Interactive Media to Improve Language Proficiency

Ramzi Salti, Ph.D.

Lecturer, Arabic Program

Stanford Language Center

Stanford University

• Arabology is a radio program, hosted by Stanford Lecturer Dr. Ramzi Salti, that airs on KZSU 90.1 FM, and showcases Arabic cultural productions from/about the Arab world.

• The Arabology show comes with a website, a Facebook Page, and a hub for all podcasts.

• Stanford students and other listeners are regular contributors to the live show, podcasts, blog and Facebook Page.

Arabology Radio Program on KZSU Stanford 90.1 FM

• Radio program is in English and Arabic and includes interviews, songs, poetry, etc. that are featured in Arabic, translated into English, then discussed in either language on the air.

• Stanford students, faculty, and other listeners record segments for the show at the radio station or in the classroom.

• All previous podcasts available for listening or downloading at soundcloud.com/arabology

Professor Alexander Key recites Arabic poem

https://youtu.be/aCX2DU-tGIo

• All previous Arabology podcasts are available for students to hear or download at soundcloud.com/arabology

• Arabology podcasts are searchable and grouped by academic quarter, date, and theme.

• All playlists are always available at Zookeeper.Stanford.edu (Sample)

Sample of Podcasts from Season 9

Show playlist from Zookeeper

Sample of Student Contributions

During this episode, Stanford student Elizabeth (Lizzie) Harmon recited a poem by Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani titled والعصفور The Ruler] الحاكمand the Sparrow] and then read her own translation of the work (see pic to the right and listen below).

https://soundcloud.com/arabology/arabology-s2-episode-3#t=38:46

Arabology Blogwww.arabology.org

The Arabology blog showcases various cultural productions from the Arab world and encourages students to submit everything from their favorite Arabic music to their thoughts on learning Arabic at Stanford. This blog also includes links to other useful sites that focus on the Arab world.

Arabology Facebook Pagefacebook.com/arabology

• The Arabology Facebook Page allows students to share links, explore Arabic music and literature, make comments in Arabic and/or English, and more.

• Students often post links that have helped them in their (Arabic) language acquisition.

• Students choose topics from the Facebook Page to create oral reports in class.

Arabology’s YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/user/author30

• Arabology’s YouTube Channel is the place for students to share their favorite (Arabic) playlists that center on anything from music video clips to news articles to cultural videos from/about the Arab world.

Arabology in the Media

Media articles about Arabology are often

translated from Arabic and discussed by students of

MSA in the classroom