ql-align-justify">In today’s digital age, communication and learning have expanded beyond traditional reading and writing. One clear example of a curriculum practice that connects audio and oral meanings to literacy is the use of podcast-based learning in the classroom. In this activity, students listen to a podcast episode related to a lesson, such as a science topic or a historical event. After listening, they are asked to write reflections, summaries, or even create their own scripts. Because of this, students are not only reading and writing, but also actively engaging with sound and spoken language.

First, this practice highlights the multimodal nature of learning. Instead of relying only on printed text, students learn through listening, speaking, and writing. For example, when students listen to a podcast, they pay attention to tone, pacing, and emphasis. These elements help them understand the message more clearly. Then, when they write about what they heard, they translate those audio meanings into written form. As a result, their comprehension becomes deeper and more meaningful. Moreover, this approach supports different types of learners. Some students understand lessons better through listening rather than reading. By including audio materials, teachers give more opportunities for students to succeed. In addition, when students create their own podcasts or oral presentations, they practice organizing their ideas and expressing them clearly. This strengthens both their speaking and writing skills. Furthermore, this example reflects the key dimensions of multimodal literacies pedagogy. It involves situated practice because students connect the lesson to real-life media like podcasts. It also includes overt instruction since teachers guide students on how to analyze and create audio content. At the same time, critical framing is present as students evaluate the message and purpose of what they hear. Finally, transformed practice happens when students apply what they learned by producing their own outputs.

Overall, integrating audio and oral meanings into reading and writing helps students become more flexible and effective communicators. It shows that learning is not limited to one mode, but is richer when multiple forms of communication are used together.

References:

Edutopia. (2019). Speech-to-text approach boosts reading skills. Retrieved from: https://www.edutopia.org/article/speech-text-approach-boosts-reading-skills/
Keystoliteracy. (2025). Oral language: The foundation for reading and writing. Retrieved from: https://keystoliteracy.com/blog/oral-language-the-foundation-for-reading-and-writing/
Scribd. (2021). Class October 30th 2. Retrieved from: https://www.scribd.com/document/821240125/Class-October-30th-2
Journal of Nursing and Social Sciences. (2023). Article 638. Retrieved from: https://jonuns.com/index.php/journal/article/view/638

Using Audio and Oral Activities to Improve Reading and Writing Skills