Vlogging : A new channel for language learning and intercultural exchanges
Résumé
The potential for computer-supported learning in educational contexts has opened up the possibilities for learners to interact in informal contexts outside the classroom. The context of the present research is a young American individual’s vlog on YouTube sharing his experiences as a learner of French. This paper focuses on the potential use of vlogs for developing language speaking skills and intercultural exchanges between users.The aim of the study is to describe and analyze informal learning communication, using a vlog, between one American French Language learner posting his learning experiences on YouTube and his audience. It tries to answer the following question: What opportunities do a learner’s vlog present in enhancing his speaking and intercultural skills?This study is based on an empirical method of collecting ecological data on the web. The qualitative data analysis method is based on the description of the online conversation (Develotte, Kern, Lamy, 2011) in addition to interaction analysis and technodiscursive analysis (Paveau, 2015).We discuss the qualitative findings of the research conducted on this multimodal corpus in order to highlight the vlog’s potential for supporting informal language learning, speaking and intercultural exchanges between YouTube users in a globalised world.