Videos are engaging, fun, diverse… and simply awesome (but you probably know that already!) There are so many different ways to use video whether you are an employee, company owner, teacher, student, or just a normal person! Even if reasons vary, video has just the right use for all of us. Let’s look at something we could all benefit from – teaching and learning the basics of a new language.

Language

Yes, we all speak or sign a language, and maybe you would like to learn a bit more in one language. This could be a simple greeting, counting to ten, impressing a friend with some words in their native tongue, or signing your name. Language is the key to communication. But what can video do that a worksheet or a textbook can’t? Let’s take a look at some benefits.

Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner’s identification of multiple intelligences makes perfect sense. We are not all alike, in fact we are all unique with our own style, taste, interests and learning preferences. Now wonder we are so likely to learn languages differently! Hence, a textbook or worksheet might not be the best universal solution. Consider using a video to teach some basic words to get by in a new country instead. Learning through multiple intelligences via video not only allows for a more rounded approach, it also encourages active participation and provides an opportunity for learning at your own pace, as well as connecting the visuals with reading and listening.

Practicing Foreign Languages

Haven’t we all heard our teacher emphasizing the importance of recycling the acquired language – using it in various contexts that will deepen our understanding and help us store the material in our long-term memory? Video can also help us here. Words can be repeated throughout the videos in different contexts and vocal inflections. The speaker may use visual, audio or reading aspects and recycle the vocabulary that is introduced. Think about the example of learning how to count in a language. Numbers are mostly universal, however they have different names in each language. Videos can be used to show their spelling and pronunciation through different visual aids that will increase recognition as well as recall.

Learning at Your Own Pace

Rushing through a language lesson has never helped anyone learn anything. Videos can vary in length depending on the material and knowledge that is aimed to be transferred. Short videos can easily be produced and accessed anywhere, anytime, and provide you with whatever is necessary to learn the language at your own pace. Maybe you just landed at the airport in Germany, and you would really like to greet the waitress in the restaurant in German. A video might come in handy: you can watch it, listen to it, pause and repeat. It’s as easy as doing 1+1, and you are ready to show off your skills and impress that German waitress!

Authentic Voiceovers and Subtitles

Automated voiceovers are sometimes a pain, and they may ruin your thoughtful language lesson and take away the benefit. However by having options like an authentic recorded voiceover, you can listen to a native speaker and experience the language in real time, by a native speaker. At the same time, subtitles can help create a connection with the spelled word and the listening. Which better language to use as an example than English: with all the silent e’s and k’s, providing subtitles and a live voiceover could really save some misunderstanding along the way. Check out some tips and tricks to recording a perfect voiceover here.

Are you ready to give it a try? Check out our video above and learn the basics of German in just a few minutes 🙂