Increasing Student Talk Time Through Vlogging

While audio diaries for second language (SL) / foreign language (FL) oral communication students have been in use for decades, recent advances in computer technology have enabled students to replace audiocassette tapes with audio stored on the Internet. Additionally, the rise of Internet video hosting sites presents both learners and teachers with free virtual space where spoken recordings can be hosted. This paper details how vlogs -a portmanteau of the words video and blog-can be used in an oral communication classroom. By vlogging, students can practice English speaking skills outside the classroom, give oral feedback on other students' vlogs, and receive teacher feedback through the teacher's vlog posting. In addition to describing the software and hardware needed for both teachers and students, this paper proposes a loose framework along which such a course could be structured.