Now that a growing majority of Internet users have broadband, you can search just about anything using YouTube and other video clip sites (Google Video, Revver, etc.) have become very popular - especially with young adults. These sites also provide English learners and classes with a new tool to improve listening skills. For an ESL (English as Second Language) students this YouTube will be ideal for them as they can hear how certain words pronounced correctly. Scientific and latin words is also a challenge for all students.
The real advantage Using You tube is - at least from a language learning point of view - is that they offer authentic examples of everyday English used by everyday people. Of course, this is the challenge as well. Students may enjoy watching these clips, but poor sound quality, pronunciation and slang can make these short videos even more difficult to understand.
On the other hand, students are attracted to the "real life" nature of these videos. By creating context for these short videos you can help your students explore a world of online English learning possibilities.
Something to ponder:
Can you write 5 examples in how you could use Youtube in the classrooms?
1.) I like to use it as a hook for example you are doing a cooking activities.
2.) As a classroom management or behavioural management?
3.) Problem solving- Then type in "how to" the YouTube clip can be as simple as "How to do"anything really.
4.) Literacy- Use a title then predict what is the content.
5.) Just given you ESL sample.
Cheers Mary-Ann
