Recommendations on the work with authentic video materials in foreign language teaching

Abstract

Video is one of the most appreciated language teaching materials and well-liked by both teachers and learners. It brings variety and flexibility to the language classroom, gives a wide range of communicative situations, makes meaning clearer by providing visual clues (environment, dress, posture, gesture, facial expression, etc.) and communicates with viewers on an emotional as well as a cognitive level. Authentic video motivates learning interest and enthusiasm, improves students’ language skills, and enhances comprehension and discussion. This paper discusses benefits, drawbacks, criteria for video selection and strategies to work with video. The authors give examples of exercises that can be used at foreign language classes.