English Language Department Students Deliver a Seminar on Improving English Listening Skills Through Podcasts and Videos
On Thursday, October 22, 2026, fourth-stage students from the Department of English Language at Cihan University–Erbil delivered an educational seminar entitled ‘Improving English Listening Skills Through Podcasts and Videos’ at Hawler Secondary School.
The seminar was held under the supervision of Lecturer Pola Tahseen Mohammad, Head of the Department of English. Upon arrival, the university students were warmly received by Mr. Ahmed Mukhlis Aziz, the principal of Hawler Secondary School.
During the seminar, Ali Shahab Jawad explained the importance of listening skills in learning English, highlighting how listening helps students improve their pronunciation, expand their vocabulary, and develop their comprehension skills. He also discussed common listening difficulties, including fast speech, unfamiliar words, and different accents.
Next, Paband Fouad Abdullah introduced podcasts and videos as effective tools for improving English listening skills. He explained how podcasts provide opportunities to practice listening through conversations, stories, and interviews, while videos help learners understand spoken English through visual cues, facial expressions, gestures, and subtitles. He also introduced useful learning resources, including BBC Learning English, VOA Learning English, and TED-Ed.
Finally, Siyav Hersh Ramez presented practical strategies and activities for improving listening skills. She encouraged learners to listen to short audio clips, watch videos regularly, practice listening without subtitles, and then check their understanding using English subtitles. She also highlighted the importance of participating in listening comprehension activities to strengthen their understanding of spoken English.
At the end of the visit, the Department of English Language students thanked Mr. Ahmed Mukhlis Aziz and the school staff for their warm welcome and cooperation.
