The use of Digital storytelling for learning English

Abstract

Learning a second language sometimes is a difficult task for students who not only see language differences but also cultural differences. That is why teachers have to prepare new activities to avoid a lack of motivation, which could lead as a consequence, to a lack of success. This project intends to create new activities based on digital storytelling principles. By digital storytelling I mean “a multimedia product consisting of images and segments of video containing background music or audio and a voice-over narrative” (Hull & Nelson, 2005: 231). Nonetheless, this method needs time to prepare a story individually and to have access to computers and be able to work with the suitable programmes to create a story. The project focuses on the oral part but students also have to write a script to do the presentation. Ultimately, what I wanted to test is how they can learn English from a different perspective by using different techniques, which can attract their attention and increase their motivation. The project is divided in three parts: A) An explanation of what digital storytelling is, its pioneers, the points to create one, the people who are involved in a project of these characteristics and how it can be used in second language learning. B) A follow-up of the activities, their objectives, contents, timing, description and assessment. C) Observations and conclusions.