This blog is very young but you might have noticed that I have a thing for TED talks. I love watching them in my free time and I enjoy exploiting them in teaching. Although I find it easy to find videos for adult learners, it's always tricky to choose something more suitable for my teenage students.
Thanks to my boss, a few weeks ago I had a pleasure to join a National Geographic Learning Webminar on TED Talks for Teens.
In his webminar, Daniel Barber discussed five reasons why we should use TED talks in teaching. He also suggested how teachers can use TED talks in a lesson as well as shared some tips on selecting TED talks in the classroom, with particular focus on teens.
Click here if you're interested in watching a recording of Daniel Barber's webminar and finding out for yourself what EFL teachers can do with TED talks.
You can enjoy more similar webminars if you go to National Geographic Learning Webminars.
Here are some TED talks my teenage students have enjoyed:
"I have 99 problems...palsy is just one" by Maysoon Zayid
"Why I live in mortal dread of public speaking" by Megan Washington
"Every kid needs a champion" by Rita Pierson
"A virtual choir 2000 voices strong" by Eric Whitacre
"Why videos go viral" by Kevin Allocca
"Try something new for 30 days" by Matt Cutts
"The power of introverts" by Susan Cain
There are more interesting ideas on how to use TED talks in ELT and some recommendations of student-friendly videos here
If you, like me, love using TED talk videos in the classroom you might find these links very useful:
downloadable worksheets and lesson ideas based on TED talks
talks by brilliant kids and teenagers
TED talks to watch with kids (playlist)
Please feel free to share your favourite TED talks!
