In today’s digital world, where YouTube and TikTok reign supreme, why not harness the power of video to enhance your TESOL teaching? Video projects offer a dynamic and engaging way for students to develop language skills, express creativity, and connect with the world around them.
Why Video?
- Boost Engagement: Video captures attention and makes learning more interactive and fun.
- Develop 21st-Century Skills: Students gain valuable experience in digital literacy, communication, and collaboration.
- Authentic Language Use: Video projects provide opportunities for real-world language application, from scripting to presenting.
- Differentiated Learning: Cater to diverse learning styles and abilities by offering various video project formats.
- Assessment for Learning: Use video to assess student progress and provide personalized feedback.
Project Ideas to Get You Started:
1. “How-to” Videos:
- Students create instructional videos explaining a process or skill.
- Language focus: Imperatives, sequencing words, clear pronunciation.
- Example: “How to bake a cake,” “How to tie a tie,” “How to use a new app.”
2. News Reports:
- Students research and present news stories in a newscast format.
- Language focus: Present tense, reporting verbs, formal language.
- Example: Current events, school news, historical events.
3. Documentary Shorts:
- Students explore a topic in depth and create a short documentary film.
- Language focus: Past tense, persuasive language, interview techniques.
- Example: Local history, environmental issues, cultural traditions.
4. Movie Trailers:
- Students create trailers for books, plays, or even their own stories.
- Language focus: Descriptive language, persuasive techniques, storytelling.
- Example: Classic literature, current movies, student-written narratives.
5. Public Service Announcements (PSAs):
- Students create videos to raise awareness about important issues.
- Language focus: Persuasive language, call to action, emotional appeal.
- Example: Environmental protection, social justice, health campaigns.
Tips for Success:
- Provide Clear Guidelines: Outline project expectations, including length, content, and assessment criteria.
- Scaffold the Process: Break down the project into manageable steps with clear deadlines.
- Offer Tech Support: Familiarize students with video creation tools and provide assistance as needed.
- Encourage Collaboration: Facilitate peer feedback and group work to enhance learning and motivation.
- Celebrate Creativity: Showcase student work and provide opportunities for sharing and reflection.
Fun Fact: Did you know that the first video ever uploaded to YouTube was just 18 seconds long and featured a man talking about elephants at the zoo?
Beyond the Screen:
Video projects not only enhance language learning but also provide valuable life skills in communication, collaboration, and digital literacy. So, grab your cameras (or smartphones!), unleash your students’ creativity, and watch them shine on the digital stage!
