Using podcasts and digital tools based on artificial intelligence as means of improving the listening competence of 7th-grade students in English classes

Abstract

The study aims to identify and substantiate the didactic potential of the ProgressMe digital platform and its artificial intelligence assistant (AI assistant) for the methodological design of instructional work with authentic audio materials to enhance the listening competence of 7th-grade students in English classes. The article examines the feasibility of using authentic content, specifically podcasts, to foster robust foreign-language listening perception and comprehension skills, as well as the capabilities of the ProgressMe digital platform and its AI assistant to generate exercises based on a selected audio text in alignment with the requirements of the Federal State Educational Standard for Basic General Education. The scientific novelty of the study lies in developing and conducting an initial pilot testing of a listening exercise set based on the “Mona Lisa” podcast, generated via the AI assistant of the ProgressMe platform, structured across the pre-listening, while-listening, and post-listening stages. The findings demonstrate the didactic potential of the ProgressMe platform and its AI assistant for automating exercise generation. The platform’s functionality enables audio hosting with multi-replay capability, automated speech-to-text transcription, and the generation of exercises derived from audio content. During initial piloting, 7th-grade students exhibited positive responses to both the digital exercise format and podcast listening, demonstrating active engagement in learning activities. The post-listening task utilizing dramatization techniques elicited the greatest engagement, facilitating the transition from information reception to productive oral speech. Formative assessment results confirmed the effective consolidation of lexical and grammatical material within the thematic unit. These findings substantiate the proposed exercise set as a promising instructional tool for enhancing listening competence, warranting further systematic experimental verification.

Research materials

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Author information

About this article

Publication history

• Received: August 11, 2026.
• Published: September 15, 2026.

Keywords

• аудитивная компетенция
• аутентичные материалы
• искусственный интеллект
• цифровые ресурсы
• применение подкастов в школе
• listening competence
• authentic materials
• artificial intelligence
• digital resources
• using podcasts in school

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© 2026 The Author(s)
© 2026 Gramota Publishing, LLC

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)