CHALLENGES IN USING PODCASTS FOR DEVELOPING LISTENING SKILLS: A REVIEW OF PREVIOUS STUDIES IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING

Abstract

The rapid development of digital technology has influenced the way English is taught and learned, particularly in listening instruction. One technological medium that has gained attention is podcasts, which provide flexible access to authentic audio materials and support independent learning. Although previous studies have reported positive impacts of podcasts on students’ listening skills, many studies tend to focus more on their benefits rather than the challenges faced by students during listening activities. Therefore, this paper aims to review previous studies that discuss the challenges of using podcasts to improve listening skills in English language instruction. This paper employed a narrative literature review approach by analyzing eight (8) peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2020 and 2025. The articles were collected from online academic databases, mainly Google Scholar, using keywords related to podcasts, listening skills, and English language learning. The selected studies were reviewed and synthesized thematically. The findings reveal that students experience several recurring challenges when using podcasts for listening activities, which can be categorized into three main themes: difficulties in understanding spoken content, limited vocabulary and listening strategies, and technical and motivational issues. The review suggests that while podcasts have strong potential to support listening skill development, their effectiveness is influenced by learners’ linguistic preparedness, learning strategies, and learning environment. Therefore, appropriate guidance, strategy instruction, and technical support are needed to maximize the benefits of podcast-based listening instruction.