Using the video recording function of a smart phone or iPod Touch is a fun, interactive and engaging way for learners to practise their speaking skills. Video activities can help with fluency, confidence and presentation skills in English.
In each of the activities below, you can decide how much ground work is involved before the final video is created. This could involve research at home or brainstorming in class, depending on the learning goals.
About me (Individual task / Pair task with students being interviewed by a classmate)
Students create a short video (1-3 minutes) and talk about an interest they particularly enjoy.
Points to include:
- What is the interest?
- How did the interest come about?
- How much time do you spend doing it?
- Why do you enjoy it?
- A demonstration of the interest, if possible?
Welcome to our city / region / country (Collaborative task)
Students create a 2-3 minute video with a partner or group showing visitors a place they would like to take them in their city, region or country.
Points to include:
- Why is this place is worth visiting?
- Background history
- Access
- Opening hours / best season to visit
Advertisement
Students create a 1-2 minute promotional video about a product they use, or an invented product.
Points to include:
- Picture of the product if invented, or the product itself
- Description of the product
- Why is it useful?
- Where can it be bought?
- Price
The Phrasal Verbs Machine from Cambridge ensures that phrasal verbs will never be the same again! Learners select the correct phrasal verb from the five options given by the Phrasal Verb Machine, in response to the animation shown. The animation is in a 1920’s style as is the machine and the accompanying music. Hours of fun and a great way to engage learners in their own time so they feel confident and motivated to incorporate phrasal verbs more frequently in their discourse.