While Project Eleos is primarily a medium of cultural exchange, it was created by an educator with teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) in mind. Eleos videos are topically organized and filmed on location with participants using natural speech. They provide English language students the listening practice they so eagerly want while giving students a window into cultural ideas in different places.
It should not take long for instructors to create their own engaging activities using Project Eleos videos. Below are some quick ideas.
Grammar Search
1 – Divide the class into groups of 3.
2 – Groups search Eleos videos on a shared smartphone (so they work together).
3 – Groups listen to videos for examples of the target grammar.
a – Write down sentences with target grammar.
b – Make note of context, video title, and person’s name.
c – Collect 5 examples of target grammar from 5 different videos.
Culture Search (Spoken)
1 – Divide the class into pairs.
2 – Pairs share a smartphone (so they work together).
3 – Pairs search videos for 3 examples of ideas (answers/statements) that are DIFFERENT from their own culture (family/community).
a – Write down sentences with the target idea.
b – Make note of context, video title, and person’s name.
4 – Pairs search videos from 3 examples of ideas (answers/statements) that are THE SAME as in their own culture (family/community).
a – Write down sentences with the target idea.
b – Make note of context, video title, and person’s name.
Culture Search (Visual)
Same as the “Spoken” culture search but students look for visual cues (mannerisms, expressions, clothing, setting) that are similar or dissimilar to their own culture (family/community).
Comparatives & Superlatives
1 – Divide class into pairs.
2 – Pairs share a smartphone (so they work together).
3 – Pairs search videos for different opinions on similar topics.
a – Remind students they can search Eleos videos by topic or question.
b – Make note of different opinions.
c – Make note of context, video title, and person’s name.
d – Collect 2 (comparatives) or 3 (superlatives) examples of different opinions.
4 – Write comparative or superlative sentences using the collected information.
Essay – Regional Culture
1 – Students search Eleos by region.
a – Remind students they can search Eleos videos by location (Las Vegas/Texas/USA).
2 – Students watch several videos with different participants (5-10) in the same region.
3 – Students write an essay explaining what they learned (think) about the regional culture based on the videos.
a – Individual videos used for the essay should be listed in a simple bibliography.
Comparative Essay
Students write an essay comparing people, regions, or ideas using Eleos videos as the source material.
LINKS
Eleos exists in its complete form on YouTube, however, some videos can be found on several other platforms.
See Eleos on YouTube at Project Eleos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc44AwlFMsVvf7u8zXk597g
See Eleos on Instagram at eleos4all: https://www.instagram.com/eleos4all/
See Eleos on TikTok at projecteleos: https://www.tiktok.com/@projecteleos
See Eleos on Facebook at Project Eleos: https://www.facebook.com/eleos4all