Effective Use of Video in the Foreign Language Classroom

Presented by Todd VidamourSenior English Language Fellow

U.S. Department of State/Georgetown University/U.S. Embassy, Moscow

Hosted by Novosibirsk State Technical University

Purpose Governs Usage

• What are the learning objectives for my students?

• What skill/grammar/vocabulary are the learners focusing on?

• What themes/topics are they covering?• Is content important in addition to language

development?• Will it be clear to the learners what the

learning goals are?

Examples of Target Language Development Using Video

• Pronunciation– Phonemes, intonation, rhythm, pausing, etc.

• Conversation strategies– Turn-taking, holding the floor, interruption, etc.

• Speech Pragmatics– Asking for help/advice, greeting/taking leave, apologizing, thanking,

agreeing/disagreeing, etc.– Register (formality)

• Grammar structures – Retelling events, imperatives, future plans, etc.

• Listening (and possibly note-taking)• Vocabulary (including idiomatic language and slang)

Examples of Target Non-linguistic Learning Using Video

• Critical thinking/analytical skills• Country studies• Socio-cultural analysis• Historical contexts• Content acquisition (e.g., environment film)• Thematic analysis and comparison• Geography• Dialects• Gender communication• Inter-generational communication

Examples of Video Sources

• Full-length features– Whole– Excerpts

• Television• Video podcasts/Webcasts• ESOL Video• Educational television• Advertising• Taped interviews, role-plays, etc.

Example: Voice of America

More Examples

Let’s take a look at some different types of video and examine the learning possibilities:

• Haier Advertisement• VOA Webcast• Farmingville• American Dreamz• Everything is Illuminated