VDMIS Newsletter - August 2012 (Plain Text Version)
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In this issue: |
SPICE UP YOUR GRAMMAR LESSONS WITH SHORT ANIMATED VIDEO CLIPS
Video materials are useful tools in second language education as they provide students with the opportunity to observe and participate in an active learning experience while utilizing cognitive skills. One of the advantages of introducing videos in the classroom is that they are an engaging and current medium through which learners focus on target structures and vocabulary that supplement any existing ESL material (Fazey, 1999; Johnston, 1999). During this presentation, participants were instructed on how to create grammar worksheets based on short animated films in three steps to enhance the second language learning experience. Many short animated films do not include any dialogue, allowing instructors to adapt the material to any grammatical point they wish to teach. The presentation focused on three critical components: The first component of the presentation had participants watching an animated video clip followed by discussion as to various applications of the video for use in an ESL grammar class at multiple levels and contexts. In the second component of the presentation, participants compared the information they discussed with a three-step sample lesson that utilizes the previewed video. Participants were guided through the process of creating a three-part lesson that included previewing, viewing, and postviewing activities. In the third component of the presentation, participants watched a short video clip and had the opportunity to create their own worksheet while brainstorming the various ways that this material could be incorporated into their lessons. The available material can be adapted to multiple levels and scenarios and utilized at different stages of a lesson. It can be used as warm-up activity material, as supplemental material after explaining a teaching point, or as review activity material. Information regarding availability of free video material online was provided as well as ready-to-use grammar worksheets that are available for download at http://tinyurl.com/animatedvideos. REFERENCES Fazey, M. (1999). Guidelines to help instructors help their learners get the most out of video lessons. Lexington, KY: Kentucky Educational Television. Johnston, J. (1999). Enhancing adult literacy instruction with video. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan. Originally from Cartagena, Colombia, and a 2002 graduate of Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, in Bogota, Ms. Goldberg was an established EFL and corporate English instructor before she relocated to the Tampa Bay area in 2003. She continued her ESL career at ELS Language Centers in Saint Petersburg while pursuing her master’s degree, which she completed at the University of South Florida in August 2009. In 2010, Ms. Goldberg began her tenure at INTO USF, a USF Partner company, as an adjunct instructor. Ms. Goldberg was also a featured presenter at Sunshine State TESOL in April 2009 and May 2011, Southeast TESOL in September 2009 and September 2010, and the International TESOL convention in March 2012. In May 2011 she was promoted to senior instructor and Pathway coordinator simultaneously and finally became the assistant director of the Pathway Program for Graduate Students in May 2012. Married in 2004, Ms. Goldberg enjoys cooking and spending time with her daughter, husband, and extended family. |
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