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Home: Video University Forums: Teaching Video Production:
High School ESL Video Project Ideas

X-Steve
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Feb 7, 2004, 3:37 AM

Post #1 of 8 (2055 views)
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High School ESL Video Project Ideas	Can't Post

Hi all,
I'm looking for ideas for my large ESL (English as a second language) classes. Somehow I would like to incorporate video production and English study into a 2-4 hour project. Some facts about the classes:
- 40 14-16-year-old students per class
- multimedia room with 20 monitors
- very limited editing facilities (camera & VCRs)
- 4 cameras
- 1 tripod
- lots of energy!
Many thanks,
Steve
Tokyo, Japan

X-Janet_Kerby
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Feb 8, 2004, 7:01 AM

Post #2 of 8 (2046 views)
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Re: High School ESL Video Project Ideas	Can't Post

That's a big order! First of all, I'd concentrate on projects which didn't require editing with the vcr's. Second,since the focus of the class is language, concentrate on the writing and speaking. And last, investigate the special features that are on your camera. They may have audio or video editing capabilities, titling, and/or digital special effects. If so, challenge students to create scripts which incorporate the different effects logically.
As for specific project ideas:
1. Personal video such as vacation photos on video narrated in English
2. A famous story in their native language, translated to English and acted for the camera...or if that's too long, shoot one scene.
3.Instructional tape for younger ESL students. Idioms should be fun to portray visually.
Hope this helps.

X-Phil_Harris
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Feb 8, 2004, 7:33 PM

Post #3 of 8 (2047 views)
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Re: High School ESL Video Project Ideas [In reply to]	Can't Post

: Hi all,
: I'm looking for ideas for my large ESL (English as a second language) classes. Somehow I would like to incorporate video production and English study into a 2-4 hour project. Some facts about the classes:
: - 40 14-16-year-old students per class
: - multimedia room with 20 monitors
: - very limited editing facilities (camera & VCRs)
: - 4 cameras
: - 1 tripod
: - lots of energy!
: Many thanks,
: Steve
: Tokyo, Japan
Send the kids out to interview older relatives. Possible topics might be (1) folklore stories, (2) stories of the older relatives childhood, (3) home remedies for common ailments.
Good luck.
Phil

X-Steve
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Feb 9, 2004, 6:40 AM

Post #4 of 8 (2047 views)
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Re: High School ESL Video Project Ideas [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for the great suggestions!
In the past I've had groups of 3-4 students create and act out plays using puppets, complete with sets. This would be similar to Janet's second project idea. After videotaping the plays I could publish them on the net in order for all the students to view. I'll be sure to let you know how things turn out.
I also like Phil's idea of sending the kids out reporting. I just wonder how well it could be done in English. Of course, the people being interviewed could give their answers in Japanese, which could then be translated into English. In any case, our new school year starts in April, so I still have a while to plan and prepare. Thanks again.
Steve

X-ChetD
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Feb 10, 2004, 2:56 PM

Post #5 of 8 (2046 views)
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Re: High School ESL Video Project Ideas [In reply to]	Can't Post

Steve,
In addition to the above good suggestions let me recommend this great project which is actually an International teleproject for English as a second language.
Some great educators have formed a collaborative called ESP - The European Schools Project. I had the good fortune to attend and present a short session at their annual conference 2 years ago.
Anyway, they have this _great_ project called 'The Image fo the Other'. It provides a teacher manual and a student manual with step by step resources to really help students create a successful project. The intention is to use email to help share with a key-pal class in another country - using English as the vehicle and the outcome also lowering stereotypes. I found the project fits VERY nicely as a video project. Even by taking just one of the units.
You can find more info on the project at website at the bottom of this message. If that link fails, search for europesnschoolsproject dot org and scroll down to the portal for Image of the Other. Great work these colleagues are engaged in!
Regards,
Chet

X-Steve
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Feb 12, 2004, 9:41 AM

Post #6 of 8 (2046 views)
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Re: High School ESL Video Project Ideas [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Chet. I'll give it a look.

Steve

X-Jeff_Goldstein
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Feb 14, 2004, 8:25 AM

Post #7 of 8 (2046 views)
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Re: High School ESL Video Project Ideas [In reply to]	Can't Post

Steve,
Why not become video pen-pals with an English speaking school? Your students can create videos about their community in English and then send them to a school which will return similar tapes in English about their own community. This will not only give them real world experiences for using their English speaking skills, it will provide educational lessons in geography, global studies, and language arts. If you cannot find a school to buddy up with, then my school (a K-8 school) would be happy to give it a try.
Regards,
Jeff Goldstein
Kid Witness News Coordinator
Public School 41
411 Thatford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11212
1-718-495-7732
E-Mail: jgoldsteinkwn41@earthlink.net

X-lindsey
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Mar 20, 2004, 10:51 PM

Post #8 of 8 (2047 views)
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Re: High School ESL Video Project Ideas [In reply to]	Can't Post

: Thanks for the great suggestions!
: In the past I've had groups of 3-4 students create and act out plays using puppets, complete with sets. This would be similar to Janet's second project idea. After videotaping the plays I could publish them on the net in order for all the students to view. I'll be sure to let you know how things turn out.
: I also like Phil's idea of sending the kids out reporting. I just wonder how well it could be done in English. Of course, the people being interviewed could give their answers in Japanese, which could then be translated into English. In any case, our new school year starts in April, so I still have a while to plan and prepare. Thanks again.
: Steve