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gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Recently, I was looking through some videos that purport to teach English, and I found some of them to be pretty poor. The idea is to use it as a supplement for your students or as a way to advertise your own teaching efforts.

Doing a few Google searches pulled up these;

Mr. Duncan has some portions of his videos that are better, and ones where he uses video. But sometimes he tends to speak too much, and not really use the video aspect to good effect. He does subtitle some of his videos which helps at times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohJCdihPWqc

I like this second one better, though I think he could have introduced the vocabulary better with a more visual approach (the parts of the car is better). The intro is also very long on this one, perhaps he was thinking of music to soothe the 'savage' students?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP3XANzvNpY

This from Jennifer is interesting, but the text seems small. Shorter format, with a short sample conversation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO8yfWMU2Yc&feature=PlayList&p=F66381FB978489F0&index=1

This is a second one from the same teacher, and it uses a few other features, but the video format is static, which seems to defeat the purpose of video. She does bring a lot of text for vocabulary, but no images, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tsa_Y0MEOY&channel=jenniferesl

Ronnie uses a very simple format, and only uses a white-board. I think her speech is fairly slow though, and easy to follow.

http://www.youtube.com/user/englishlessons4u?blend=6&ob=4&rclk=cti

This company's attempt seems to use the least amount of imagination, with reading of even explanation segments as if they're part of the dialogs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf3VqJmLlnU

This teacher (could use a shave) does give written support for his idioms with his live video in a small part of the screen earlier in the video. He seem to think repeating some things will make them easier to understand, though he does give a few good examples for some things, such as voice tone. He seems to include a lot of not so related items in one lesson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpF7VIOsfBg&feature=related

One of my favorites, but for an advanced level class and people who haven't been poisoned by the media.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=homrLjGIQbc

This Japanese effort spends a lot more time teaching Japanese than English, might be useful for a laugh too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRqKISCtTjw

I love to use 'regular' videos to teach various things, but I was wondering if anyone knows some better 'teaching' ones they have come across.

Please share what you know!

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 7:45 am Post subject:

Oh no! Not A.J. 'Hoax' again!

fluffyhamster · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 1:18 am Post subject:

Jeez, I had to stop after just two clips (of Misterduncan's - I'd gone onto his 'Lesson Thirteen - Grammar!'). Lots and lots of talking very generally about "the language" but not really teaching much. Mediocre, in a word. Harry Hill could teach this guy a thing or two!

I'll try to summon the strength to look at some of the others...but later. (Scurries off and never comes back).

Remembered this:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/teacher/viewtopic.php?t=8631

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Sorry fluffy, those videos have been removed, so not much to see in that link you gave.

Yes, Mr. Duncan speaks quite a bit, though he does have some text support on some of his videos.

It seems like teachers could be doing a lot more with videos than what I've seen on offer. A better use of the visual elements is not very obvious from the examples I've seen, anyone made their own?

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

fluffyhamster · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 5:21 pm Post subject:

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

There are videos to coursebooks as well. They are adapted to the topic of each unit in terms of vocabulary and grammar. Also, some coursebooks have CD-ROMs with short videos for each unit, like Face2Face series.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 7:04 pm Post subject:

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

kootvela posted

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 10:27 am Post subject:

I think his website link is somewhere on the video. I can't watch this one anymore because he makes me sick. Quite nauseated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OboUBMBZn8I

Effortless English! For him maybe, but not for me having to stomach his inane voice and delivery.But hey, don't mind me - check out all his planted comments from satisfied customers with realistic typos. He rocks! He AWESOME!

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Some tough vocabulary in this one, not bad for some sections as they are subtitled, but the transcripts section on their website is useful. Only one problem; this video has a few errors in it, the comments give them away if you can't figure them out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgGYY6C4lbY&feature=related

If you prefer a more attractive teacher with some interesting words introduced, try these 'hot for words' videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAkryQgWVUE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIfCCS0SG7I

Some controversy on this one as to the exact Japanese meaning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de4b61nT5Ek&feature=related

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 10:55 am Post subject:

UUURRRAAA!!!!

Marina Orlova! Best teacher in the world! Typical of all Russian linguists and English teachers here in Moscow Laughing

Not sure how many non-Anglophones subscribe to her website though....

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279