(Semi)authentic audio-visual materials for the A2 level in the online language learning environment FRANEL: Pitfalls and challenges

Abstract

The importance of the use of (semi)authentic audio-visual materials in electronic learning environments in general (Mayer, 2001) as well as in CALL environments (Hirschprung, 2005) has been clearly shown. There is at the same time a substantial demand for electronic language learning environments based on authentic video materials and which are adapted to the A2 target group. Franel is an electronic language learning platform for French and Dutch as foreign languages, which is based on authentic audiovisual materials and which is available for free on the Internet. Important issues in the development of the platform are the selection and creation of adequate video materials and the technological and pedagogical parameters this entails, the integration of the video materials into the pedagogical scenario and the creation of adequate learning tasks based on the video materials and focusing on the A2 level. All these language learning activities are offered in order to improve the learners’ communication skills in the target language.