USING WEBSITES AND VIDEOS TO LEARN ENGLISH

Thaianny Gomes

Nowadays it is critical to learn a foreign language. English is required everywhere. To understand what the actor says in the movie, that music that everybody is talking about and specially in the workplace. Many people lose great job opportunities because they do not know English. But most of these people have Internet access at home and what they do not know is that it is possible to learn English anywhere, anytime and for free.

First, the student has to know how to use these tools in order to learn a foreign language. It is complicated when somebody who does not know anything about learning through websites is put in front of a computer asked to search for websites, it is not good for the student’s motivation. Egbert (2001) already warned against this because the student loses time searching for something still unknown instead of focusing in the language learning.

Lots of websites can help us to learn and improve the process of learning English, there are websites through which specific skills can be improved. Most students have problems with their listening comprehension and the website Elllo, for instance, aims to improve this skill with podcasts according to the students’ level, the subjects of the conversations are varied and the student is exposed to the English of native and non-native speakers. For example, in one video an American and an Indian talk about good health. By practicing with these tools the student can become capable of understanding the English spoken around the world.

For those who are taking the first steps of learning English, there are sites directed to make the vocabulary of the target language grow by ending each lesson with the student’s mother language as a support. When the student is a beginner it is hard to go to sites where everything is written in English that is why the websites have to fulfill the student’s needs and level of proficiency. For beginners, Duolingo is an interesting option. In this website, it is possible to practice the target language from the first moment. All the four language skills are well practiced. Beginners can also improve writing with websites where beginner’s books can be downloaded.

Videos are always a good option to learn English. By watching videos it is possible to learn since the alphabet in a fun way until the proper pronunciation of words. There are plenty of videos recorded by professors who teach how to speak and the right way to pronounce specific sound of the English language. It is also important to search for channels where the focus is teaching English like British Council’s channel or the videos on BBC Learning English where there are videos teaching pronunciation tips. Another channel that helps with speaking is Rachel’s English, a website where Rachel teaches how to pronounce similar words and other things related to the American accent.

Research on English learning through websites shows positive results and it is an interesting way to learn for students. Once you learn how to use websites on learning, it is impossible to stop. More and more interesting things keep appearing. For example, you can download books for free in order to improve reading and writing, watch a video with your favorite song lyrics or watch an English subtitled movie online to improve listening and speaking. There will always be a video or website that is going to catch your attention regardless of your level because this is the best way to learn, the way you like.