2019 Top 10 rankings revealed for ELT video
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Digital Learning Associates (DLA) announces its annual Top 10 chart of most used ELT teaching videos. The ranking has messages for the $5billion global English language industry.
One year ago, DLA launched paid-for video streaming to school English Language lessons. It’s called Ready to Run. Year 1 of operations was planned as a quiet Beta mode, to bed down the support and billing systems, before a global distribution push to markets with over 300million learners. But the number of teachers using the platform has in fact grown organically. This popularity yields an unexpected snapshot of how several hundred teachers around the world are running their digital lessons, and how language learning is taking to authentic video.
Top discovery in 2019: contrary to English language sector orthodoxy, the most consumed authentic videos are disproportionately at beginner level. This goes against official “best practice” doctrine, and it’s a surprising result.
The detail: in the Ready to Run video catalogue, 20% of the range is graded “beginner level” (A1 in the CEFR scale of language attainment). However in our Top 10 chart of ELT video the clear majority (60%) of video plays are in the A1 range. It seems that teachers’ budgets, and their fingers on whiteboard “watch” buttons, are saying that learners’ first steps can and should be made with authentic natural speech. Traditionally, ELT publishers and trainers dismissed authentic speech for early learners: it would be too difficult, apparently. Time to think again?
Next discovery: our Top 10 chart strongly suggests that good content wins learner engagement. If we compare the ranking of our Top 10 ELT videos for starts (ie the titles on which most teachers chose to press “play”) against duration (ie the titles most watched to the end), we see some telling differences. Making it into the Ready to Run Top 10 for duration of viewing are two films with an undeniable cool factor. One is about tornado chasers, the other about a skateboarding family. These titles don’t make it into the Top 10 for video starts. It shows that gripping content can get a class of English learners to keep on task for longer.
Background: With over 60 graded authentic video titles and lesson plans for teachers to work with, the Ready to Run service was designed to offer English language classrooms direct access to authentic speech, compelling stories from the English speaking world, and learning designs for blended digitally-led teaching. It’s used in state and private schools worldwide, including language colleges, to support ELT courses. Ready to Run launched in November 2018 and won the British Council’s ELTons 2019 award for best learner resources. Any teacher can get Ready to Run by creating a free login, accessing either a free or paid-for package.
TOP 10 ELT videos by duration of watching
Two of 2019’s Top 10 titles are included in the current “Video Star” free package, meaning they are available to stream at no charge to teachers registered at Ready to Run. These two titles have a link to enable one-click access to the video and lesson resources after creating a login.
1
Homes - A1
Lifestyle vlogger Bee loves small houses and she has found the perfect example. She shows us round a real-life fairy tale cottage that has to be seen to be believed.
2
Technology - A1
Crazy Rides
We follow inventors Mark and Theon as they rebuild cars to create new and innovative modes of transport. Mark converts an aeroplane into a car, and Theon combines a boat and a truck. The question is: will they work?
3
Travel - B1
How to Make Money and Travel Full Time
YouTubers Bee and Theo are full-time travellers with virtual careers, which they conduct from their narrow boat and their van. From YouTube videos to stock photos and blogging, they explain how they earn money while being constantly on the move.
4
Health - B1
Doctors Helen and Javid are on a mission to reveal the truth behind popular myths about the common cold. Javid takes on freezing weather without a coat, and Helen is shocked to find out how far sneezes can spread.
5
Family - A1
Nadiya's Family
Nadiya, winner of the The Great British Bake Off, has always felt very British despite her Bangladeshi heritage. She decides to visit Bangladesh, where her parents, cousins, and grandmother help her connect to the culture of her family's home country.
6
Weather - A2
Storm Chasers
Reed is at the centre of one of the largest tornadoes in history, but he doesn't know that yet. He and his team of storm chasers follow and film extreme weather for a living, but this is not an average day at the office. El Reno grows in size and power as it moves across the state, taking them by surprise at every turn, but still they keep going. Why? Their footage will be broadcast on television for the country (and the world) to see.
7
School - A1
Japanese High School Life
Sophie, a German vlogger, documents her experiences as an exchange student at Japanese High School. School life couldn't be more different from her hometown, with a scenic journey, a 'no shoes' policy, and traditional Japanese delicacies to enjoy at lunch.
8
Nature - B1+
Saving the Flying Rivers
Water from the Amazon Rainforest serves countries around the world. But this vital ecosystem is threatened by deforestation. Gérard Moss and his team launch the Flying Rivers Project to research exactly how the rainforest works, and share that knowledge with younger generations in the hope that by understanding it, they will go on to help protect it.
9
Hobbies - A1
Skate Brothers
Zion is an eight-year-old skateboarding sensation, and has been performing tricks and winning competitions for years. Talent runs in the family, as Zion's brother Jax is only two and is already following in his brother’s footsteps.
10
Food - A1
Follow Monica, Martine and Emma's advice on how to prepare for a summer picnic with their fun and easy recipes: instant cheesecake and mango lemonade. These straightforward ideas are just the ticket for some outdoor summer fun with friends!