Using YouTube to Encourage English Learning in ESL Classrooms

In a relatively short time, YouTube—a video-sharing website headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States—has gained enormous popularity. Created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, the site allows users to upload, view, rate, share, and comment on its available contents which include video clips, TV clips, movie trailers, and other contents such as video blogging, short original videos, and educational videos. ESL educators have enthusiastically welcomed this video-sharing social network as it provides not only countless hours of exposure to spoken English but also a resource to develop writing skills among the learners. This paper presents discussions and recommendations that will assist ESL educators in making their teaching sessions effective and fun.