What is the VERBcast?
The VERBcast is a series of audio programmes which introduce you to French verbs and teach you all about the various tenses you need to know. Verbs are a very important part of any language, and in French it's important to know your verbs in order to make speak and write the language more effectively. At this stage of the year much of what you cover in the VERBcast will be revision, but hopefully you'll benefit from doing 15 minutes of mental revision each day in the run-up to your exam.
Why is the VERBcast different from learning from a book?
That's the real point of the VERBcast! You'll be learning in a very different way from normal. In fact, rather than looking at anything while you listen to the programmes, you'll be encouraged to switch off, close your eyes and relax completely so that you are in the best possible learning environment. The programmes use alternative learning techniques involving relaxation and visualisation. Don't worry - you'll be talked through everything on the recordings.
What do I need to join the VERBcast?
Each episode is an mp3 file which can be downloaded from this website. The files will be provided in both high and lower quality, making them suitable for users with broadband or dialup internet access. If you're involved in the enhanced VERBcast you'll also need access to a mobile phone.
What's all this about the enhanced VERBcast?
For the time being this is only available to students who attend school in East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and Argyll & Bute education authorities in Scotland. If you're one of these students then you'll have been invited to send your mobile number and/or email address to us and we'll have added you to our list after a quick security check. You'll then receive daily updates, reminders and tests on your phone.
Why can only students from these areas access the VERBcast?
The three authorities mentioned are running and funding the PiE project and funding is limited at the moment. We're trying to set up a system where students from other areas could get access to the VERBcast but for the time being the system is unfortunately not available to students from outwith the PiE area.
If you have any other questions, please post a comment on this post, or contact us.
I found your website today and your VERBcast looks very interesting. Unfortunately, I could not download Episode 1. All the other episodes were fine, but I think I must have missed quite a bit (around 3000 verbs according to you!) so I would really like to get episode 1. Will it be available soon?
Thanks.
Neil Gregory
Posted by: Neil Gregory | October 27, 2006 at 08:51 PM
This a a great way to learn a language. You go at your own pace and, it feels as if I have my own personal French Tutor. I would highly recommend this to anyone. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Kathryne | May 05, 2007 at 09:28 PM
hello, i really enjoyed the first 3 episodes, but cannot downloads any more. i get 'error' through iTunes and also through this site. where can i find the rest of the episodes? thanks
Posted by: naomi | August 27, 2007 at 12:53 AM
Hi, I've enjoyed the first 5 episodes, which I obtained through iTunes. However, I'm unable to access the remaining episodes. I noticed that the host site appears to be down - is there any other way of receiving the complete program?
Thank you
Posted by: T.McCloud | December 30, 2007 at 03:10 PM
is there anywhere to download these episodes now?
Posted by: Curtis | January 16, 2008 at 06:55 AM
Hello, This is a truly great idea and I am really keen to download and work through these (especially as I live in France already!). Unfortunately I cannot seem to be able to download them from iTunes or here. I wondered if either the server is down or I'm doing something wrong! Please could anyone advise me?
Many thanks.
Posted by: Alyson Osborne | January 19, 2008 at 09:13 AM
I'm also unable to download the podcasts from both here and through itunes? Does anybody know what to do? Am I just too late? Thank you.
Posted by: Annette | February 22, 2008 at 06:20 PM
I FOUND IT!!
You can find Verbcast at: http://www.learnoutloud.com/Catalog/Languages/French/VERBcast-Podcast/20182
(If that link doesn't work properly, simply go to http://www.learnoutloud.com/ and search for Verbcast. You'll see a link to the RSS feed, which will subscribe you to the entire series!
Posted by: Patrick Mathieu | February 29, 2008 at 07:30 PM
This looks like it was an excellent website, just what I've been looking for, what a pity it is inactive. If anyone knows a similar site, please paste it here or e-mail me.
Lew
Posted by: Lew | March 15, 2008 at 02:03 PM