(Sáng kiến kinh nghiệm) motivating students in reading classes (english 11) by using video clips

PART ONE: INTRODUCTION
I. Rationale:
Nowadays English has become an international language because it
is widely used in many parts of the world and in many fields of our life.
In Viet Nam, English has become a core subject at school and a
compulsory subject in every GCSE. However there are still some facts in
Vietnamese schools: Students haven’t paid much attention to English
especially in rural areas. They learn English in order to deal with tests
and exams so they only pay attention to grammar exercises and ignore
language skills. In English lessons, many students study other subjects,
they are even afraid of English.
I also know if students are interested in what they are learning they
will be more active. In other word, students will be eager to learn if they
feel like the lessons.
From the fact above, I always try to find out the way to motivate
students and provide the students with lessons worth learning. Altered
methods and substantial are entered in teaching. I have been using
different kinds of aids to make effective learning. I also discover that
reading is a key part of learning English. When teaching reading skill to
the 11th grade students at Mai Anh Tuan High School I found out that
video clips are very effective ways of both motivating our students and
help them to understand languages because it also has significant effects
on the students’ performance and generate some interest in the reading
topics.
From the rationales mentioned above, I have decided to write my
own experience initiative on the topic “Motivating students in reading
classes (English 11) by using video clips”
II. Aims of the study
The research aims to:
- Applying some changes and improvements in my lessons with the
hope that students will be motivated and involve in classroom actively

in reading lessons of the 11th grade students at Mai Anh Tuan high
school.
- Improving students’ language skills by making the learning
environment in reading lessons become more relaxing and
meaningful.
- Suggest some video clips for reading lessons in English 11.
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III. Participants of the study:
Participants of the study were eleventh grade students in three
classes (11A, 11C, 11G) at Mai Anh Tuan High School. The study was
carried out during the academic year 2016 – 2017 at Mai Anh Tuan High
School.
IV. Data collection instruments
In the process of doing the study, I used several research methods:
1. Observation:
I attended some English periods to get a general view of teaching
and learning English at Mai Anh Tuan School and specifically to find out
some information related to the use of video clips and consider if they
were applied correctly and effectively, and how students’ participations
in the lessons.
2. Questionnaires:
The aims of the questionnaires were:
- to discover whether students like and understand the lesson, and
whether I used the video clips effectively.
- to discover which part of the lesson students like best.
- to get information to give suitable teaching methods.
3. Interviews:
In this study, interviewing was used to obtain ideas and information

from students about reading lessons they learned.
4. Lesson plans:
Prepare the lesson carefully. Choose video clips related to the reading
topic wisely. Make sure that there is no technical failure.
5. Teacher's diaries:
I had to teach the same lesson in the three classes. Therefore, after the
first class, I always wrote down experiences to adjust

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PART TWO: PROBLEM SOLVING
I.

Basis of the study:
The importance of video clips in teaching languages:

Undeniably, motivation makes a great contribution on the success of
a lesson. The more motivated students are, the more actively they will
participate in the lesson. There is no doubt that Video clips are the best
tools for making teaching effective. They arouse students’ interest and
help teachers explain the concept easily.
One research shows that people only remember 10 percent of what
they read, 20 percent of what they hear, 30 percent of what they see, 50
percent of what they hear and see [3]. Therefore, it is important if
teachers let students see and hear what they are learning and video clips
are the best visual aid. It can’t deny that video clips support me to make
learning more actual, active, motivating, encouraging, and provide
opportunities for students to plan and organize for reading.
II.

Benefit of video clips:

- Video clips are a valuable classroom tool. They can be a great way to
practise a wide variety of language skills. Through them we get
students moving, talking, writing and speaking.
- They are fun. A fun cartoon can be what we need to make students
have laugh and never forget the lesson and help students have fun
experiences, and no stress in learning.
- They help bring language to life. Language is set in a realistic context
and in a more natural way [2]. By video clips we relate the language
to the students’ own life. They help to develop procedural knowledge
in ways that are meaningful to the learners.
- Students have a change to listen to natural pronunciation, stress,
intonation.
- Video clips help to make lessons more memorable. [2]
- They make students think and pay attention to the lessons.
- They provide vocabulary, knowledge, various information related to
the topic of the lesson.
- They help students to set motivation to study, arouse student’s interest
in learning.
- Help teachers lead into the new lesson naturally and interestingly
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III.

Preparing an effective video clips:

There are a wide range of videos clips for us to choose. They can be

documentaries, TV shows, films, cartoons or music video…Which one
we choose depend on the aim, the topic of the lesson, and activities
basing on. Therefore, choosing video clips wisely to attract students’
attention, stimulate their curiosity… plays an important part in the
success of a lesson. Well-chosen video clips can make themselves more
effective. Try to pay attention to:
- Interest: Whether they are interesting enough to attract students’
attention.
- Time: Keep them short (from 30 seconds to 5 minutes)
- In accordance with the topic of the lesson: “the content has to suitable
to both the topics of every lesson and their age” [3]. Try to make them
clearly, easy to understand, easy to remember.
- Technical quantity: Make sure that the sound is clearly enough, the
screen size is adequate for the number of students, the equipment is
checked prior to the lesson to avoid wondering whether the video clips
will work or not. There is nothing worse than pressing play and being
met with a black screen. If the technology fails we have something to fill
in the gaps.
IV.

Some suggested video clips that can be used effectively in
reading classes of English 11:

1. The schedule of the course
Basing on the new textbooks designed by the Ministry of
Education and Training (2007), each unit is taught from five to six
periods. The reading lessons at Mai Anh Tuan high school follow the
syllabus of the Ministry of Education and Training.
The teaching and learning tasks for the academic year are
scheduled as follows:

Unit 1: Friendship
Unit 2: Personal experiences
Unit 3: A party
Unit 4: Volunteer work
Unit 6: Competitions
Unit 7: World population
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Unit 8: Celebrations
Unit 9: The post office
Unit 10: Nature in danger
Unit 11: Sources of energy
Unit 12: The Asian Games
Unit 13: Hobbies
Unit 15: Space conquest
Unit 16: The wonders of the world
2. Some suggested VIDEO CLIPS used in reading classes (English
11):
Below are some video clips I have applied in reading lessons of
English 11. I share my experience initiative with the hope that any
colleagues who have the same problems can use it in their lessons.
Normally, in reading class I use video clips in two parts: Warmup and after you read. Only 5 to 8 minutes are used to conduct the
activities, but giving enough time for students to assimilate to what they
are going to read or provide further information about what they’ve read.
I hope my students will be freed from the boring process of going the
exercises item by item, and creative interactions and meaningful tasks.
All activities were prepared with teaching materials like a computer, a
projector, speakers…
Unit 1: Friendship

1. Topic: 5 qualities for true friendship.
2. Aims:
- Capture students’ attention at the beginning of the lesson.
- Help students to become familiar with the topic and have a natural
lead-in.
- Relate friendship to themselves.
- Get fun, make the lesson relaxing.
3. Procedures:
In the reading lesson, I used 2 video clips: One in warm- up + before
you read, another is in after you read stage.
3.1: Warm-up:
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VD1: I used a music video. It is about a song called “you’ve got a
friend!” [1], sung by Carole King. This song is the poem in the text
book.
Image from VD1
- Ask students to work in groups of four to answer the following
questions:
1. What is the song about?
2. What do you think of the friend in the song?
3. What makes a good friend?
3.2: After you read:
VD2: I used a funny test video called “Are you a good friend?” [1]
Image from VD2
The results of the test must be fun. Students have a chance to revise the
qualities for true friendship. With the ending, students can’t forget the
lesson.
Unit 3: A party

1. Topic: 2 parties: a birthday party and a golden anniversary party.
2. Aims:
- Increase students’ interest.
- Rouse class atmosphere.
- Capture the content.
3. Procedures:
- I used one video clip (VD3) about a birthday party including
activities, and the song “Happy birthday” [1]. Then ask students sing
along while listening.
- After watching the video, students have to work in groups and list as
many activities as possible.
Unit 4: Volunteer work
1. Topic: volunteer work in the USA
2. Aims:
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- help students understand the concept more rapidly and are more
enthusiastic about what they are learning.
- Make a new connections between the textbook and their daily life, a
link between the world outside and their own world.
- Provide vocabulary.
3. Procedures:
- I used one video clip (VD4) about volunteer work in Viet Nam
accompanying the song “Bài ca thanh niên tình nguyện” [1]
Image from VD4
- Give students handouts including name of activities. Ask them what
activities they have watched.
+ directing the trafic.

+ helping the sick.

+ taking part in widening the + helping the poor.
roads.
+ giving medical care.
+ helping the old.
+ collecting rubbish.
+ helping children.
+ taking care of war invalids

+ helping people in mountainous
area.

- Check the students’ work by play the video again and pause at each
activity.
Unit 7: World population
1. Topic: the growth of world population
2. Aims:
- Capture students’ attention at the beginning of the lesson.
- Help students to become familiar with the topic and have a natural
lead-in.
- Give futher imformation.
3. Procedures:
The Reading part is devided into 2 periods. I used two video clips.
 In the warming-up stage of the 1st period, I used VD5
“overpopulation” [1].
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Image from VD5

- After watching, Ask students to work in pairs to write a list of
consequences of overpopulation, and put them in order of danger and
explain why.
 In the after you read stage of the 2nd period, I used VD6 “7 billion
National geographic magarine” [1]. Let students revise what they have
read and give futher information.
- Ask students to work in group of 4, watch and write the introduction
for the video.

Image from VD6
Unit 8: Celebrations
1. Topic: the growth of world population
2. Aims:
- Create the environment of interest for learner.
- Provide direct experiences to students.
- Help students to brain-storm.
3. Procedures:
 In the warming-up stage, I used VD7 “Hoạt động ngày tết” [1] .
- Before playing the video clips, I asked students to guess what they are
going to see. ( for example: banh trung, mut, lucky money, peach
blossom…)
- The winner group will be the one that guesses the most items
correctly.
Image from VD7
Unit 10: Nature in danger
1. Topic: people’s destruction, consequences, and solutions
2. Aims:
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- increase students’ vocabulary.
- let students know the fact of man’s actions.
- help teacher explain the topic easily, and effectively
3. Procedures:
 In the warming-up, I used VD8 “This is how we destroying
everything” [1]
Image from VD9
In the video, there are 7 reasons why animals become endangered.
- Invasive species
- Global warming
- Oil spills
- Deforestation
- Water contamination
- Pollutants
- Over hunting
Ask students to watch and write a list of the reason and put them in order
of importance.
- Create a new connection between the topic and their life.
Unit 11: Sources of energy
1. Topic: alternative sources of energy ( five)
2. Aims:
- Help students to become familiar with the topic and have a natural
lead-in.
- Arouse students’ interest.
- Provide vocabulary.
- help teacher explain the topic easily, and effectively
2. Procedures:
 In the warming-up, I used VD9 “Sources of energy”. [1]
Image from VD10

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- Ask students to watch and then list all the sources of energy they have
seen in the video clips and decide what source of energy has the most
advantages.
Unit 12: The Asian Games
1. Topic: the Asian games
2. Aims:
- Arouse students’ interest.
- Provide vocabulary.
3. Procedures:
 In the warming-up, I used VD11 “The Asian Games”. [1]
- Before playing the video I deliver worksheets to students and ask
them to complete while watching.
Worksheet:
The Asian Games
Held: every (1)……………
Purpose: (2)…………………………..
(3) ……………………………..
The 1st Asian Games: + Year: (4)……………..
+ Host country: (5)…………
Sports: (6)………………………………..
Image from VD11
Unit 13: Hobbies
1. Topic: hobbies
2. Aims:
- Arouse students’ interest.
- Provide vocabulary.
4. Procedures:

 In the warming-up, I used VD12 “Interest and hobbies”. [1]
Image from VD12
- Ask students to list hobbies they have heard.
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Tapescript:
It is very rewarding to have different interests and hobbies.
Some people like to play computer games. Other people spend a lot of
time watching television. There are people who would rather watch
movies. Some people prefer more physical things. They would rather
play a sport like baseball, hockey, or basketball. Some people do
exercises at the gym or they just go for walks. There are many ways to
exercise. They can ride a bicycle or lift weight. There are people who like
to collect things. You can collect all kinds of different things. You can
collect stamps, coins, draws, postcard, movies, rocks or posters. Some
people even collect bones or leaves. Some people are lucky enough to be
able travel. You can travel to a nearby place or you can travel far away
to a different country. There are people who like to listen to music.
People have different tastes in music. Some people like rock music, rap,
classical music or folk music. There are many different tapes of music.
Some people would rather play music than listen to it. You can play an
instrument or you can sing. Many people learn to play the guitar or the
piano. Some people join a band or orchestra. There are people who like
to read books. There are lots of different hobbies. It depends of what you
consider to be fun. You can have more than one hobby or interest. It is
good to be interest in a lot of different things.
Unit 15: Space conquest
1. Topic: the first flight into space
2. Aims:

- Arouse students’ interest.
- Provide vocabulary.
- Help students to become familiar with the topic and have a natural
lead-in.
3. Procedures:
 In the warming-up, I used VD13 “Yuri Gagarin- Vostok 1- April 12
1961”. [1]
Image from VD13
After watching, I ask studends : Who is he?
What made him famous?
What event have you seen?
Unit 16: The wonders of the world
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1. Topic: the pyramid of Giza
2. Aims:
- Capture students’ attention at the beginning of the lesson.
- Provide vocabulary.
- Help students to become familiar with the topic and have a natural
lead-in.
- Provide further information.
- Make lesson like an interesting trip, and more relaxing.
3. Procedures:
 In the warming-up, I used VD14 “Six biggest wonders of the world”:
[1]
1. Taj Mahhal, Agra, India.
2. The Great Wall of China.
3. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
4. The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt.

5. Chris The Redeemer, Rio De Janeiro.
6. Chichén Itzá, Yucatán.
Show six images from VD13 then ask students to match the names with
the images.
Image from VD14
- Check students work by playing the video clip. Then lead into the
lesson: “Which one do you want to visit?” Today we are going to visit
the oldest of the seven wonders of the world - The Great Pyramid of
Giza, Egypt”
 In the after you read stage, I used VD 15 “Deconstructing History –
The Great Pyramids of Giza” [1]
Image from VD15
- Ask students to talk about the Pyramid.
Above all video clips related to the topic of reading lessons in English 11
I applied in the school year 2016-2017.
PART THREE: CONCLUSION
I. Study results
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In the academic school year 2016-2017, I always used video clips
when teaching reading in 11A, 11G, 11C. After every reading lesson I
gave students questionaires and got the following result:
1. What do you think of the video clip you have watched today?
a. Very boring

b. Boring

d. Interesting and challenging.

e. Very interesting and useful.

Question

c. So so

Choice
a

b

What do you think of the 0%
video you have watched
today?

Notes
c

d

e

0% 12.0% 40.0% 48.0%

From the table, this might be concluded that the video clips which I
chose have certain good effects.
2. What do you think of your reading lesson today?
a. Extremely unsatisfied
b. Unsatisfied
Question

c. Satisfied
d. Good

e. Very good

Choice
a

b

What do you think of 0% 0%
your
reading
lesson
today?

Notes
c

d

e

16.5% 42.0% 41.5%

3. Do you think video clips make lessons more exciting?
There was only 9 students (equivalent 3.57 percent) said that
they did not think the lesson was more exciting, and did not like them.
The other 121 students (equivalent 96.43 percent) agreed that the lesson

was much more exciting and they liked video clips a lot because the
sound and images in the video increase students’ interest; they got
involved much in the lesson and find the lesson easier to understand, and
more memorable. They also get much more information.

II. Suggestions:

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With these findings, I hoped that they could help the teachers and
students at the school improve their quality of teaching and learning
English.
THE CONFIRMATION OF THE HEAD
TEACHER

Thanh Hoa, June, 3rd 2017.
I assure this experience
initiative was written by
myself, was not coppied from
the other’s work.
The writer,

Bui Thi Hang

REFERENCES
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[1]. All 15 video clips relating to the reading topics of 12 lessons from

the source of the internet. />[2] Source: Glaser, R. (1983, June). Education and Thinking: The Role of
Knowledge. Technical Report No.
PDS-6. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh, Learning and
Development Center.
[3] 7ESL.Video activities that your students will love/ fluentU.
4. GV trường THPT Dân tộc nội trú tỉnh Hịa bình- “Sử dụng video clips
vào soạn giảng các bài học trong chương trình tiếng Anh 11”. SKKN
năm học 2010 – 2011.

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