New sound for GSL: staying tuned into language

The DaZ@work podcast (GSL@work podcast) from the Competence Centre for Work-Related German Language provides an easy-to-access and in-depth look at a topic.

Starting point/challenge

The ARD/ZDF 2020 online study showed that 19 million people in Germany use podcasts. A podcast is an audio or video item which users can play or download immediately, take with them on mobile end devices and listen to or watch at any time. During the coronavirus lockdown, one-quarter of those surveyed said they had listened to audio content more frequently.

Releasing a podcast means focusing on a new channel and therefore also on a potential new target group. It also means that new and attractive content is created for existing channels such as websites and social media. At the IQ Competence Centre for Work-Related German Language, the pandemic led to a rethinking in terms of how interviews and in-person presentations had previously been organised. Work began on initiating a podcast to support engagement "independently of location".

Launching the DaZ@work podcast

The aim was for the new podcast to provide a lively introduction to topics covering all aspects of language and communication. Verbal contributions from different perspectives and the way these are compiled in an entertaining way also means that complex relationships can be explained.

The focus of the podcasts was previous IQ job training as well as concepts and methods such as ascertaining language level and use of scenarios for language teaching. In each case, two or three interviewees were asked questions on a topic to initiate a discussion between research and practice.

Launching a podcast required questions to be well planned and discussions with interviewees to take place beforehand. In this way it was possible to focus on the different perspectives of each of the experts.

For the podcast team at the IQ competence centre, working on the technical aspects of the content in an editing tool turned out to be a fascinating editing and production process. Tips and advice on pronunciation and intonation and a stimulating atmosphere for the discussion meant that the interviewees had no fear of the microphone.

The podcasts created and released on www.deutsch-am-arbeitsplatz.de are 10 to 12 minutes long, providing interesting background information on a subject from a range of perspectives. They invite listeners to consider language and communication in the context of inclusion in employment and careers and also to take their thinking further. The podcasts are digitally accessible and there is no limit to how often they can be used. They help to broaden an individual's level of understanding and can also be used in groups, for further training and in workshops.

Conclusion

The podcast is aimed at language and subject teachers, instructors and advisers, companies and disseminators in the area of labour market integration. The podcasts are distributed directly to around 1,600 newsletter subscribers and approximately 1,500 Facebook followers. They are linked from www.deutsch-am-arbeitsplatz.de. The download rate here is around 500 per podcast. This is a very high level of visibility given the relatively minimal resources and personnel used. Other newsletters also refer to the podcast.