Using video
Reflection task 11
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What differences are there between using an audio recording and using a video recording in a language class? What differences are there in what the learners have to do? What differences are there in what you as a teacher can do? Which do you think is easier? To understand an audio recording of an interaction or to understand a video recording of it? Why? |
In answer to Reflection task 11, you probably noted down a fair number of differences.
It is as well to bear in mind, however, that working with video recordings still involves aural comprehension, ie some processing of linguistic input through the aural channel leading to the integration of top-down and bottom-up processes in the interpretation of that data.
Nevertheless, the key point about video is that it provides rich visual information, which is grist to the 'interpretation' mill. Because it is visual, it is easily available even to second language users. Video thus provides valuable and easily accessible contextual information for the interpretation of language. In fact, we can often guess the gist of a conversation just by looking at where the interaction takes place, the clothing and manner of speakers involved and the whole range of paralinguistic cues, in particular gestures and facial expressions, rather than by listening in to the language. Try this in Reflection task 12.
Reflection task 12
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Click here to see a video extract (© University of Hull, 2001) without sound. You'll see two scenes: the first with three people, the second with two people, one of whom you've already seen.
Click here to check your dialogue with the original below. (Click here to open in a new window.) Click on Commentary for feedback on this task. |
Extract from Lagelands by Miranda van Rossum, Roel Vismans, Agaath de Vries, © University of Hull, 2001. Reproduced with permission.
Toch maar naar de dokter
After a meal together, Kenny, Sara and Alan (students who share a flat) wake up feeling terrible. They think it might be 'flu or foodpoisoning. They phone the doctor and leave a message, asking him to call them back. A few hours later, the doctor hasn't rung back yet. They all still feel awful and decide that somebody will have to go and see the doctor in person.
| Kenny |
Heeft die dokter nu nog niet gebeld? Ik voel me nog steeds niet goed. |
| Sara |
Nee, helaas niet. Misschien dat er toch maar even iemand naar de dokter moet. |
| Alan | Nou, ik voel me al een beetje beter, dus zal ik dan maar gaan? |
| Sara | Ja, alsjebelieft. |
Bij de dokter
| Dokter | Dag, meneer Burton. Wat zijn de klachten? |
| Alan |
Nou, ik ben misselijk, ik heb buikpijn en ook een beetje koorts, denk ik. Mijn vrienden hebben er ook last van. Eén van hen denkt dat het misschien voedselvergiftinging is. |
| Dokter | U heeft ook koorts, zei u? |
| Alan | Ja |
| Dokter |
Dan is het waarschijnlijk geen voedselvergiftinging, maar buikgriep. Dat heerst. U kunt het beste in bed bleijven, en veen drinken. Il zal u iets voorschrijven voor de misselijkheid. (Hij schrijft een receptje uit) Alstublieft. Drie maal daags één tablet. Innemen met water. Als het over drie dagen nog niet over is, dan even terugkomen. |
| Alan | Dankuwel, Dokter. Tot ziens. |
| Dokter | Dag, en het beste |
English translation
Off to the doctor's
| Kenny | Hasn't the doctor rung back yet? |
| Sara |
No, unfortunately he hasn't. Perhaps somebody's going to have to go to see the doctor. |
| Alan | Well, I'm feeling a bit better, so shall I go? |
| Sara | Yes, please. |
At the doctor's.
| Doctor | Hello, Mr. Burton. What seems to be the problem? |
| Alan |
Well, I'm feeling sick, I have a stomach ache and also a bit of a temperature, I think. My friends are also suffering from the same thing. One of them thinks that it might be food poisoning. |
| Doctor | You said that you have also a temperature? |
| Alan | Yes. |
| Doctor |
Then it seems less likely to be food-poisoning than gastric 'flu. There's a lot of it around. You should stay in bed and drink a lot. I'll prescribe something for your nausea. (He writes out a prescription.) Here we are. One tablet three times daily. To be taken with a glass of water. If it's not better after three days, then come back. |
| Alan | Thank-you, Doctor. 'Bye. |
| Doctor | Good bye. All the best. |
