Students learn new vocabulary and a lot of descriptive language from the DJ and callers as well as from each other. The answers have to be very specific. Students try very hard to guess and be very specific. When they get into difficulty, their friends volunteer words and phrases. This activity allows for authentic listening practice too.
Talk shows Another useful programme is the radio talk show.
Topics of discussion are usually current events and issues that affect the majority of the population. All that needs to be done is audiotape one session on the basis of student interest and relevance. One that I have used was on the issue of caning in schools. Callers had a lot to say, ranging from fully supporting caning to outright opposition. Naturally our students started forming their views and took sides.