Video transcript
Heard about the benefits of a flipped classroom approach but you’re not sure how to go about it? Looking for some top tips to get you on your way? Keep watching.
If we’re meeting for the first time, I’m Jo Gakonga, I’ve been teaching English since 1989, training teachers on CELTA and MA TESOL courses for over 20 years and I’ve got a website at ELT-Training.com where I make video-based material for language teachers from pre-CELTA to much further down the road.
As you probably know because it isn’t new now, the flipped classroom approach means giving your learners input -usually in video format- BEFORE class so that you’ve got more time for collaborative, creative, USE of the language IN class.
For example, you might give them some vocabulary or functional phrases to learn before class and then use pairwork, groupwork, roleplay or discussion to get them to USE that language in an authentic way IN the classroom where you as a teacher are there to give support and correct errors.
One of the reasons you might NOT have tried this is that you’re worried about the video aspect of it.
Of course you don’t have to make your own videos, you can use ones that other teachers have made on YT or other parts of the net, but your learners will really appreciate seeing YOU in their pre-class tasks. You can make sure they’re getting the input that you want them to and the great thing about a video is that once it’s made, it’s got a long shelf life. It’s definitely re-useable.
Are in interested? Great! But remember that as with all learning, you want your learners to be interested too. So let me give three tips for making video engaging.
Keep your videos short
3-5 minutes is enough- more than that and they probably won’t watch it, but it’s amazing how much you can pack into 5 minutes and if you want a guide, we speak at about 150 words a minute, so that’s a maximum of 750 words.
Add words and images to your video
Remember that it’s a visual medium so add key words over the video or images that help them to understand.
Keep them moving
Making videos where you just talk over a static image isn’t going to be engaging. Show yourself talking and be animated or include other video or gifs to keep your learners interested and learning.
I hope this helps and if you’re thinking that video could be a skill you want to develop and monetise, check out my Video Creation for Educators programme.
Have fun with the flipped approach and good luck!
