HOW TO USE VIDEO TECHNOLOGY IN THE ESL/ EFL CLASS

Course code: VIDEO-EFL

What is this course about?

Movies are motivating and fun but sometimes it is time consuming to prepare lessons. In this course the advantages of using movie clips and full length feature films in the ESL/ EFL class will be discussed. Participants will learn various techniques for active viewing. Useful ideas to mine films will be introduced as well as task- based activities to practise vocabulary, speaking, listening, reading and writing. Furthermore, there will be information about DVD technology and this will be contrasted with videocassette.

Objectives

• To train participants into the use of video technology to teach / practise English.
• To present video in its various formats such as VHS, DVD and Web based video input.
• To explore various techniques to be used to exploit the use of video segments.
• To propose various kind of activities to stimulate the four skills and vocabulary acquisition.
• To present and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of videocassette and DVD technology.
• To introduce the use of new video technology and provide resources and tools to find them on the Internet.
• To reflect on the use of video in general and use of movies in particular in their own classroom environment.

Who is this course for?

ESL / EFL teachers and students of English. Video is an invaluable resource for the EFL teacher and student as it offers the chance to 'bring' native speakers into the English class. Also, in ESL situations, movies and video segments in general offer endless opportunities for cross cultural discussion.
This course may also be suitable for heads of studies and coordinators so as to train their teachers into the use of video in the English classroom.

How long is the course?

Five weeks

Contents:

Module 1: Why use video technology in the ESL/ EFL class?
All participants will meet the moderator and participants; complete a survey about prior knowledge, experience, needs and expectations; and guidelines and the schedule will be set for the course. Why use video technology in the ESL/ EFL Class? An overview of video technology will be presented at this stage.
In this module participants will be presented with the pros and cons of using video in the ESL classroom. They will have to reflect on their own teaching situation and analyse whether the pros outweigh the cons and if they would consider teaching ESL/ EFL using video
Hands-on activities:
Why would you use video technology in your class? Why have you/ haven't you used video in your classes?
Participants will discuss the advantages of using movies in class. They will relate experiences if they have used them or speculate on possible negative aspects of their use in class.

Module 2: What to watch?
Various kinds of video formats for use in the classroom will be presented. Also, various genres will be introduced: Full length feature films/ movie clips/ news segments/ Interviews/ Ads Criteria for selection
Participants will be presented with various formats in which they can use video technology in their classes such as VHS, DVD and various web sites. Both full length feature films and movie clips can be used for similar or different purposes. This will be explored in this module and a criteria for selection.

Module 3: How to watch?
Techniques for active viewing. Activities to practice listening, reading, speaking, writing and vocabulary acquisition will be introduced.
Hands-on activities:
Participants will be presented with various techniques to use video in different ways. Students are generally avid passive TV viewers. During this module participants will be presented with various techniques to encourage active viewing.
Participants will evaluate the pros and cons of each of the techniques presented.
They will be introduced to a set of activities which can be used both with full length movies and movie clips. Suggestions for activities to practise listening, reading, speaking, writing and vocabulary acquisition will be presented. After some models have been presented participants will design activities to practice the various skills using some of the techniques suggested.

Module 4: Where do I get the material from?
Use of the Internet as a resource for using video in the ESL / EFL class. Movie scripts
Hands-on activities:
Participants will be presented with various ways in which they can use Web to find material to use in their classes. As a practical assignment they will devise activities to go with various film clips/ trailers or news programs..

Module 5:
In this module participants consolidate and unify the concepts learned in the preceding modules to get ready for the final assignment. The module will be divided into activities to practice the 4 skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and vocabulary acquisition.
Hands-on activities:
Participants will design activities for movie clips/ segments to practise the various skills. They can decide on the source and format used (VHS, DVD, Web sites). They will justify and explain why the use of one or the other is better in the suggested activities.

FINAL ASSIGNMENT
Participants will be able to choose between two final assignments.
They can choose between using one video segment of any length which can be used to introduce/ practice/ recycle the 4 skills and vocabulary acquisition or selecting 5 different video segments each of which will be used to teach listening, speaking, reading, writing and vocabulary acquisition.
They will follow a checklist to make sure that they are using the techniques suggested and they have taken into account the pedogical considerations learnt during the course.

Methodology

• This course will be taught on the Internet through the Net-Learning system -completely on-line.
• There will be weekly discussions. The materials will be downloaded every week. They can be studied even when the participant is not connected to the Internet.
• The bibliography will not be obligatory, but it is highly advisable to consult a few sources.
• The materials presented will be of direct application to the fours linguistic skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
• Through a thorough understanding of the meanings of the forms of verbs and phrases in a sentence, the practical application and use of these forms will be much more clear than they have been in the past.

Evaluation

There will be exercises in every module and a final paper on all four modules for those who are willing to do them. Certificates of attainment will be issued at the end of the course. Certificates will be issued by Net-Learning

Instruction and Tutorials

The instruction and checking of the activities performed by the participants will be delivered from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Reception and delivery of the materials and the discussion forum will be through the Internet.

Tutor

Monica Aparicio
EFL teacher and ELT Consultant. She holds an MA in Applied Linguistics from the University of Leicester, UK and Certificate in TESOL - Center for Teacher Education, Training, and Research, School for International Training, Brattleboro, VT, USA. She has presented and published articles in Argentina, the US, Canada and the UK. She has coordinated online workshops for TESOL International. She is member of the ARTESOL board. She is currently teaching ESL online at Englishtown.