THE IMPACT OF VIDEO ON THE COMPREHENSION SKILLS OF CORE FRENCH STUDENTS

This paper describes an experimental study of video as a tool for the teaching of a second language. The study explores the importance of vi sual cues in the process of listening to French as a second language. Grade 8 core French students were exposed to a French story under diff erent conditions: video-with-sound, video-without-sound and sound-with out-video and their comprehension with video was compared to that with audio. Results indicated that visual cues were informative and enhanc e comprehension in general, but did not necessarily stimulate the unde rstanding of text proper. It was also found that teaching with video h ad some affective and attentional advantages.