Podcasts have become a really important part of the digital world. You can listen whatever you want, when you want as so many topics and genres are being discussed in these handy online recordings. The have a huge impact on the listener, as when they tune into their favourite podcaster, you are talking straight to them and have their undivided attention.

It is predicted that by 2023, 1 billion people will be listening to at least one podcast a month. The podcast, a loose combination of the words ‘iPod’ and ‘broadcast’, is becoming an increasingly important part of our routine. They fill a space on the commute to work, whilst taking a walk or visiting the gym.

But why is the podcast becoming so popular? Part of the answer lies in the variety of topics covered. Not only is there a wide variety of light topics to be found on your favourite podcast app, but there is also a growing trend in edutainment (education + entertainment) podcasts and demand is continuing to rise. Listeners want to learn, and that’s why Babbel – the world’s first language-learning app – created this helpful infographic, “What can a Podcast Teach You?”.

They tell the story of the development of the podcast through lots of fun facts and data, to help you understand the rise of this global phenomenon and why the podcast trend is here to stay, for the time being at least. You’ll also find out how listening to a podcast can help you to learn a new language, which we know is high on many of your to do lists for so many reasons, including helping you to immerse yourself in local cultures as you travel.

The statistics behind the infographic are staggering. If you haven’t already started recording your own podcast, perhaps the fact that in 2021, UK listeners clocked up 60 million hours of podcasts every week will do it. This was a rise of 50% compared to 2019, and a staggering 17 times more than in 2015. Some of the most popular podcasts available to download now are “Today in Focus”, a podcast by The Guardian that covers a crucial fact in 20 minutes, to “Eat Sleep Work Repeat” by Bruce Daisley (Vice President of Twitter).

Babbel has also launched numerous podcasts to help listeners master many European languages. In fact, there are many educational benefits to listening to Babbel’s podcasts, not just to brush up on your language skills. They present and introduce relevant cultural elements to your language learning, they help improve pronunciation and conversation and they also explain new linguistic forms of speech. 

So, are you ready to join the new age army of podcast listeners? Which podcaster will have you pressing play?

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