Video Podcasts for English language learners
I have searched for video podcasts for English language learners, but actually, I couldn't find very many. Here are two good video podcasts that you can subscribe to:- The Daily English Show
Don't miss this fun daily video show for English language learners (especially in Japan) by Sarah, an English teacher.
Level: Not stated (Low intermediate and higher?) - digitalchalk's Vocabulary Podcast
A series of fun video vocabulary tutorials for English as a Second or Other Language.
Level: Not stated (Elementary and higher?)
Other video for English language learners
Happily, there are some other free video resources for English language learners by big organisations like the BBC:- BBC World Serice: Learning English: Watch and Listen
The BBC World Service Learning English has lots of good things for English language learners. The Watch and Listen video section in particular is a fantastic resource for listening exercises and cultural information, including popular music.
Recommended levels: intermediate to advanced - BBC Video Nation
Video diaries recorded by people living in Britain, with interactive exercises. These short video clips, about 1-2 minutes each, from one-year video 'diaries' by people living in Britain. Watch the videos, test your comprehension with interactive exercises, check what you have heard by looking at the tapescript, learn about aspects of life in the UK, practise your grammar and vocabulary. - BBC Learning English: Beyond the Postcard
A series that looks at some not so well known features of some very well known places, from Belfast to York, including Oxford. There are text, audio and video comprehension exercises to help you practise and improve your English.
- Australia Network: The Busines of English
"Watch and listen to every day business situations and learn English for meetings, presentations, and negotiations."
Level: intermediate - advanced - Australia Network - Study English - IELTS Preparation
"Develop your skills for English language study and the IELTS test via video clips, quizzes and study notes"
Level: intermediate - advanced - Australia Network - Living English
"Get to know the characters of our drama 'Sisters and Brothers' as you learn and revise your basic English skills of English language used in everyday situations such as checking into a hotel or describing people"
Level: beginner - intermediate - Australia Network - English Bites
"An informative and entertaining way to improve your knowledge of the English language, with detailed reviews of language, terms and usage"
Level: intermediate - advanced
- Literacyworks: Learning Resources
A rich source of authentic listening and video materials (American English) from CBS 5 and CNN news services, helping students build their reading and writing skills. Students read CBS 5 news stories while following along with audio and/or video, then complete vocabulary, sequencing, and comprehension activities
Real English
The "Real English" series, by the Marzio School, on Google Video, is also interesting. The idea behind these short videos is to show "real" spontaneous speech by people interviewed in the street (mainly it seems in New York City and London). Produced by the Marzio School & Real English L.L.C.Elementary and higher
- Spelling and Introducing People
Spelling and introductions (presenting oneself and others)
Closed Caption Version 1 min 45 sec No Closed Captions 2 min 26 sec - The Jones Family (Closed Caption Version) 1 min 8 sec
"be" in the present, and describing people - What do you do? What's your job? 3 min 6 sec
Present Simple (do / does), is / are, jobs/work - Giving Directions - Lost in England 2 min
11 passers-by out of 442 people interviewed for this edit provide understandable directions. Closed Caption version No Closed Captions - How long does it take? 2 min 42 sec
- Are you married? 4 min 28 sec
The Messenger 41 sec
"Present Perfect" verb tense - What's your astrological sign? What are (Pisces) like? 3 min 50 sec
11 casual answers from people who don't know if they believe in astrology, and one answer from a true believer, "like" as an adverb (What is X like?)
- What are the French like? 6 min
British and US people give their opinions of the French - What are Americans like? 3 min 57 sec
People give their opinions about people from the USA - What do the Scottish think of the English? 1 min
Scottish people give their opinion of English people - Jim and Robin 1 min 50 sec
Jim and Robin, a young married couple, talk about their lives - Dorothy got a job! But what does she regret? Why? 1 min 25 sec
5 words are not audible, leaving Upper Intermediate and Advanced students a special opportunity for classsroom discussion
Interested in films/movies?
- Movie Trailers - interactive listening exercises
Here you can watch the videos of some film trailers (trailers = short advertisements for films), and complete the texts in interactive exercises - A Modern Snow White
A short animated film (cartoon) giving a modern version of the tradional Snow White folk tale, intended for EFL/ESL students.
Check your pronunciation
- Phonetics: The sounds of American English
"This site contains FLASH animated libraries of the phonetic sounds of American English. Available for each consonant and vowel is an animated articulatory diagram, a step-by-step description, and video-audio of the sound spoken in context. It is intended for students of phonetics, linguistics, and foreign language." Brilliant!
Just for Fun
Here are two very short comedy video clips at YouTube.com, about problems with the English language:- Do you speak English? (TV comedy clip)
- Improve Your English! (TV commercial)