Long live, YouTube: L2 Stories about YouTube

in language learning

Cem BALÇIKANLICenter for European Studies,

University of Florida, USA2nd International Online Language

Conference ( 25-26 July 2009)

Outline

* Web 2.0 Technologies

* YouTube: A Real Phenomenon

* Out-of-class experiences

* YouTube in Language Learning

* The Study

* Conclusion

Web 2.0 refers to web-based technology that facilitates and promotes

communication and sharing among users worldwide.

In the past couple of years, there has been a steady increase in the use of Web 2.0

tools such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, aggregators, social bookmarks, among

others to make global interaction that has been rapidly adopted by the e-learning

community more available (Gonzalez and St. Louis 2008

facebookdel.icio.us

zoholickr

myspacewiki

youtubesecond life

blackboard learning system

YouTube, a video-sharing website where

users can upload, view and share video

clips, has made it possible for anyone

who can use a computer to post a video

that millions of people can see within

minutes.

The combination of online learning

opportunities and interactive Web 2.0

has provided language teachers with

myriad possibilities in creating a real-

world language environment in the

classroom.

Language learning, in sum, is much more

than classroom experience. It takes place

outside the classroom informally.

Out-of-class experiences occupy a key role in

offering vast range of possibilities to L2

learners.

YouTube is an unlimited resource for language acquisition/learning.

To illustrate, one can listen to all kinds of spoken language (formal, neutral,

informal) and genres (songs, parodies, debates, political speeches, talk shows, lectures) and learn a lot of vocabulary in context, which, without doubt, will help

memorize more easily.

The Study

Learners’ stories

using YouTube for

language learning

purposes in the

University of Florida.

Ten students learning

English as a second

language.

The interview

questions including

several dimensions of

YouTube for language

learning purposes.

Coding the data and grouping similar responses into

categories.

“It is something without which I can’t live, it is completely fun.”

It offers authentic examples of everyday English used by everyday people.

Is it good for English practice? How?

… it does increase the knowledge of the language by repetition.

YouTube is useful in many ways for learning a language because the variety of material is out there

you are exposed to music, commercials, comedy sketches and more styles and genres of the language.

How does it contribute to your independence skills?

… as many times as I want, when I want. Listening to English songs helps my pronunciation as well.

… the potential use for language learning is great as it helps foster learner autonomy.

you can watch the videos multiple times on your own for repetition, which, I believe, won’t be boring.

I review them on my own. Doing this can be as relaxing and fun as it can be.

How does it promote your cultural competence?

you can have an awareness of cultural frames that pertain to the language you are trying to learn.

…YouTube entails wide range of cultural materials. What you need to do is type “English culture” on YouTube.

Doing both of these also provides me with first hand encounters of the culture, that I would be without were it not for YouTube.

Conclusionsa) YouTube is useful in many ways for learning a language in an out-of- the classroom.

b) There are different styles and genres of the language available on YouTube.

c) Students can be exposed to music, commercials, ads, comedy sketches, conferences and programmes.

d) Repeating the videos over gives students a better grasp on the dialogue.

e) YouTube can help students explore the target culture in a variety of ways.

f) YouTube can help students develop their autonomous skills as it encourages them to watch videos and clips continuously.

Recommendations

•TV shows may be used for language learners to be exposed to authentic language. Focusing on certain grammar points or lexical items, TV shows may be valuable for vocabulary and grammar retention.

•Karaoke may be used in language classrooms. Using songs is very beneficial in terms of authenticity for language learning. In this regard, learners may take advantage of doing karaoke in language classrooms.

•TV talk shows and programmes may be employed so learners then can do drama activities accordingly.

•Learners may make use of commercials, with a focus on certain lexical or grammatical items.

Thanks a lot