Multimodal Task – “My Favorite Spot in My Neighborhood”
Audience: University students in an English language teaching program
Level: A2 (Intermediate)
Objective
In this short multimodal project, you will create a 1–2 minute digital story describing your favorite place in your neighborhood.
The goal is to use different modes of communication (your voice, images, and sound) to express meaning creatively and show why this place is important to you. This task applies the concepts of multimodality and multimodal literacy discussed in our readings, encouraging you to combine linguistic, visual, and digital resources to communicate effectively.
What you will do
You will create a short digital story titled “My Favorite Spot in My Neighborhood.”
Your task is to:
1. Choose one place in your neighborhood (for example: a park, café, store, or street corner).
2. Write a short script in English (about 80–100 words) describing the place and explaining why you like it.
3. Record your voice reading your script naturally and clearly.
4. Add 3–5 photos or short video clips that illustrate your place.
5. (Optional) Include background sounds, simple captions, or short transitions to make your story more expressive.
6. Edit your video or audio using any of the digital tools recommended in the Digital Tools for Teachers for Multimodal Tasks booklet, such as:
Canva – for combining images, text, and voice easily.
Genial.ly – for creating interactive visual presentations.
Buncee or Prezi – for assembling short visual stories.
Vocaroo, Clarisketch, or Shadow Puppet – for simple voice recordings or image narrations.
7. Once your digital story is ready, upload it to Padlet:
Go to: https://padlet.com/almarioesteban098/description-of-your-neighborhood-2p4gbngofpobsyrh
Click the “+” button in the bottom-right corner to create a new post.
Upload your video or audio file.
There you will find examples of scripts from previous students, but remember that you must create a multimodal product using the tools described above.
Language focus
Use present simple and adjectives to describe your place.
Include connectors like because, so, which is why, for me.
Try expressions such as:
- This place is special to me because...
- Whenever I go there, I feel...
- It’s part of my daily life because...
Task done!
ReplyDeleteI think this task was well planned for the target audience since it connects personal expression with grammar and vocabulary practice in a natural way, and it also provides a very clear explanation. As a multimodal text, I believe it’s effective because it encourages not only writing but also oral and visual production, which helps make meaning through different modes.
Hey María! Thank you for your comment! I really appreciate that you noticed the connection between personal expression and language practice, that was exactly the goal. I wanted the task to feel meaningful for the participants, not just as a grammar exercise but as an opportunity to communicate something personal through different modes. I also agree with you that integrating writing, speaking, and visuals helps students make deeper connections with the language and express themselves more authentically. I’m glad you found the instructions clear and aligned with the idea of multimodal learning.
ReplyDeleteFinished! Mario, I really liked the proposal of performing a task that is directly connected with the actual enviroment and not through pictures or videos online. I find it interesting because it encourages a natural exercise where students use the language in a real situation and not having to imagine scenaries. Also, the instructions are clear which benefits the performance and outcome of the task.
ReplyDeleteHey Camilo! Thank you for your comment! I really appreciate your observation. My intention was exactly that , to help students use the language in a real and familiar context instead of imagining situations. I also agree that clear instructions are essential to guide them and make the task more authentic and achievable. I’m glad you found that aspect meaningful.
DeleteI absolutely love this "My Favorite Spot" task, a personal project that totally hits the mark on applying all that multimodal theory. It’s awesome that students have to mix their own voice, images, and sound, that combination of modes is what digital storytelling is all about and it makes the language practice feel much more meaningful than just writing a paragraph.
ReplyDeleteThank you Nicholas! I’m really glad you saw the connection with multimodal theory, that was exactly the idea. I wanted students to integrate different modes to create meaning, not just produce text. I also agree that digital storytelling adds a more personal and engaging dimension to language learning.
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