TED-Ed for Language Learning: A Fun Tool with Limits

 When I was a sophomore year student in uni, my teacher required us to imitate a TED-Ed video, we need to learn their intonation, pronunciation, and speaking speed. I could still remember the days I practise for it, totally a torture for non-native. However, when I become a teacher, I will still use TED, but give up my teacher's teaching method.

I will tell you my experiences with TED

Why TED-Ed is Great for Language Learning

1. Engaging, Bite-Sized Lessons

TED-Ed’s short animated videos (usually 5-10 minutes) make learning feel like watching a cool mini-documentary. Unlike dry textbooks, these lessons keep you hooked while exposing you to natural speech patterns, vocabulary, and even cultural insights. Also unlike youtube, tiktok, it is more educated. Compared with spending much time on those, parents and teachers will prefer to use TED to make kid play while learn. Although some videos from TED-Ed are from youtube platform, they are all being assessed and verifier has made sure that they are suitable for al ages.

2. Learn More Than Just Words

Language isn’t just grammar and vocab; it’s about ideas. TED-Ed covers everything from science to history, so you pick up subject-specific terminology while expanding your general knowledge. Win-win!

The Downsides

 Limited Interactive Features

Unlike apps like Duolingo or Babbel, TED-Ed doesn’t have quizzes or speaking exercises. It’s passive learning, so you’ll need to supplement with active practice (writing, speaking, flashcards). For me, I will use some videos, like making cakes or cookies, from TED to ask Ss to follow the instructions in videos, and make delicious they want. Or conditions limited, they might be asked to recall and repeat the instructions, a little bit like dictation?



Comments

  1. yinan15 April 2025 at 19:38

    You have clearly described the assistance that TED can provide in teaching. I think this is also a good attempt that can be made in my future teaching!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Vesper16 April 2025 at 01:24

    Absolutely loving your take on TED-Ed! It’s like a mini adventure for language learners—super fun and engaging, but I totally get where you’re coming from with the interactive features! 😊

    ReplyDelete

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