Videos....Speaking Motivators!!

http://dotsub.com/

 About it: 

• A great site to upload your own videos and add subtitles to them. 
• In addition, there are tons of videos that have subtitles in soo many languages. 
• You can search for videos by genre, language and mostly viewed videos.
• I really like the videos available because of their versatility and teachers can make a decision whether to use subtitles, to use sound or to present the videos with just mere visuals depending on the level of students.

Significance:

• A great tool that allows consistent perception of the story that is being presented in the video. 
• I believe, that videos aid retention, for example after  viewing the video the teacher can ask questions to have students reconsider what they viewed and feel free to describe what they saw. 
• Videos also activate background schemata, therefore, students can visualize and broaden their insights by the use of videos in classrooms.
• Most importantly, videos are great tools to enhance listening and speaking skills and a communicative approach with a task-based approach after viewing the videos could be a choice. 
• Finally, since students can upload their own videos and add sound to them that would definitely encourage creativity and learners autonomy.
• It  can also encourage group work and competition.

Suggestions: 


In Classroom:

• Videos give the chance to have tons of assorted  activities with them. 
• Firstly, I use segments of a video if I 'm teaching beginners.
• I would try not to use subtitles with all levels, in order for students to train their ears to listen to language.
• I also think that teachers can try to limit most videos to a short duration, since that students attention span decreases with longer videos.
• Videos could be viewed by the whole class at the start with some warm-up questions to start. 
• Later, the teacher could ask the students to retell what happened, express their opinions towards issues discussed, have group discussions or post- veiwing tasks monitored by the teacher or students in groups.

Outside Classroom:

• Videos viewed in classrooms could extend to outside the classroom. 
• Great tools for students to go back home and reflect on their learning. 
• Students can easily view videos on their own at home and train their listening skills.
• A great idea would be also for teachers to ask their students to choose videos, or to upload their own videos, add sound to them and present in front of their classmates.

Shortcomings:

• I believe that the only problem with videos would be that a video a teacher chooses might not be interesting and therefore it is quite difficult to have students pay attention to the video and show interest and eagerness to cope with the activity.