Search Find Learn

I've written before about the Blendtec viral videos. These engaging videos encourage viewers to participate and create their own content. I love the way youtube opens up video and text conversations with people across the world. So how can we use this type of model for language learning?

When I'm in my Irish language class, I find that I have no interest in translating set text from a page. But if I'm asked an open-ended question, such as 'what did you do at the weekend', I really try to find the Irish to communicate what I did at the weekend. So this got me thinking about video conversations on youtube.

Taking a very basic idea, I wonder could a series of video clips called 'What did you do at the weekend' be used to open up video conversations in the Irish language. The starter clips could be carefully scripted for comedy and good use of images with audio. The learner could watch it. Then they have to answer with their own clip of what they did at the weekend, using the branding, images or video clips taken from the starter clips...

You could use this idea for specific vocabulary. If I had to teach GCSE students the Irish vocabulary for food and cooking, I think I'd make a series of very short cookery clips called 'What do you eat?'

So in each video, a chef shows the viewer a range of ingredients. Then they show how to very quickly put a dish together. Each clip would last for around the magic 2 minute mark, and would not only show the learner how to make a dish, but would give the language for the food stuffs and the cooking process. At the end of the video, the chef asks the question 'What do you eat?'

The learners are then encouraged to make their own video. So they have to find the ingredients, figure out the language for the process, make the video and post it.

There are endless subjects around which you could open up language-learning conversations...and using comedy, and not moderating the responses are all part of the learning experience.

Hmmmmm. Maybe I should get my camera out this weekend and give it a go. Subject - What do you like to drink in an Irish pub?