The Four Skills and Video in the ESOL Classroom

Video Writing Activity Guide

Activity: Writing a Script
Purpose: To use a video clip to stimulate student writing
Level: Intermediate and above
Materials: Video clip
Time: About 20 minutes

Directions:

  1. Choose a short video clip. (1 1/2 - 3 minutes)

  2. Tell the students to watch the video clip carefully and play it one or two times.

  3. Split the students into small groups (3-4 people).

  4. Tell the students to write a script for the video clip. Each group should write only one story.

  5. Groups share their stories.

  6. View the video one more time and see how the stories differed from the original.

  7. If desired, give students time to correct the script or have them discuss what they missed.

Notes:

The video should have plenty of action, or sequence of actions. It makes it easier to write the script. Or else, have the students watch a preparation of something (how to cook a meal, how to repair something, etc.) and have the students write the process.