Learning Chunks and Scripts with Video
Research in second language acquisition points to concepts called "narrow listening" (Krashen, 1996) and "narrow reading" (Krashen, 2004), which refer to the benefits found in studying a small amount of language in great detail, as compared to "broad listening," which would refer to listening to large amounts of language superficially. That is to say, learners benefit more, for example, from 60 minutes of studying a two-minute recording in detail than they would to listen to a 60-minute program just one time.
This concept applies to our use of video and audio in language teaching. Students generally benefit more from an in-depth analysis of a small sample of language than they would from a large amount that is glossed over. Today's technologies allow us to do more narrow listening and detailed analysis because video and audio are so much more accessible than they used to be. And as related to chunks and scripts, it is during this analysis that students become consciously aware of how native speakers use their language, including the short phrases, asides, clarifications, questions, turn-taking indicators, etc.
This next demonstration introduces online video materials entitled Conversa brasileira, a compilation of video clips where people interact with each other in natural scenarios. In these clips students are exposed to the way that Brazilians exchange information, including the little asides, pauses, repetitions, and clarifications that go on. The actual video scenarios are brief, usually around 2-3 minutes in length. The video clips also give students access to transcriptions, translations, commentary, pdf files, and discussion blogs, all to provide for narrow listening.
Prof. Kelm describes the use of video in language teaching from the site called Conversa brasileira.
Duration: 03:20