HKDSEE English Language Paper 4 – Youschool? In Asia, chances for face-to-face interaction with English speakers are limited, making it harder to learn English, Singapore

Hong Kong Examinations And Assessment Authority Hong Kong Diploma Of Secondary Education Examination 2013:

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 4

PART A Group Interaction Below is an extract from a Hong Kong university’s regular newsletter:

                                               YouSchool?

In Asia, chances for face-to-face interaction with English speakers are limited, making it harder to learn English. But the situation is changing. A study started by the Hong Kong Institute of Education has found evidence of language learning and teaching on the social networking website YouTube. 

The study investigated a video featuring the 2008 Olympics song, Beijing Welcomes You, which was sung in Mandarin Chinese. It was translated and subtitled by amateurs or fans into English — a process known as fansubbing’. The researchers were particularly interested in the comments made by viewers. They were investigating whether there was informal language teaching and learning taking place. 

We have seen language teaching and learning-related episodes where there is direct attention to language forms, but also episodes where there is relatively deep discussion of issues concerning languages and cultures,’ said principal investigator Professor Philip Benson. 

The online interactions often involved English and Chinese speakers helping each other to learn each other’s language. Findings showed that online language teaching and learning had ‘an informal and playful character often characterised by a direct style of correction and expressing opinion that may be unique to YouTube.

Your teacher wants your group to give a presentation to encourage other students to learn English outside the classroom. You may want to talk about:

• how you could learn English through YouTube and other social networking sites
• what other ways you can think of to learn English outside the classroom 
• advice to give to students who are new to learning English by themselves
• anything else you think is important

PART B Individual Response

1. What is your favourite way to learn English? 
2. Do you think YouTube is a good way to learn English? 
3. What other ways could you use YouTube to learn English? 
4. Do you think it is better to learn English by yourself or with a teacher? 
5. What are the problems of using YouTube to learn English? 
6. Why do you think writing comments on YouTube is popular? 
7. What is the hardest thing about learning a language by yourself? 8. Can online language learning and teaching replace classroom teaching?