VYou - Conversational Video

About VYou

I found this amazing website from Jo Gakonga's Blog. Just as shown in the picture above, VYou is a conversational video website which provides people with opportunities to talk with real people through videos. Below is an example I selected from the VYou.com. 

Why is it Good?

• I was firstly attracted by this website's creative way of communicating among people - by recording videos. That is, you type your questions or words you want to speak with the people in strip which is located at the bottom of the video, then, the people in the video will reply you through video recordings as soon as possible.
• Besides, through using this tool, non-native speakers get the opportunities to chat with real English native speakers or Internationals who speak English. 
• Furthermore, this website offers a platform for people to make friends around the world, and meanwhile helps them practise English thorough communicating.
• At last but not least, by singing up for a account without charging, anyone can create their own conversational videos, which I think is a good way to practice English and communicative skills. Certainly, it can be also an effective way of being popular in the 'virtual world (Internet)' if your video is interesting and attractive. =)

Suggestion for its Usage 

• In my opinion, as this tool may be a little bit time-consuming, and the video maker may not reply the new questions immediately, I would suggest teachers to make a short demonstration of this website for students in class, and leave the time for students to experience it after class or at home.
• After a certain period, like a week or two weeks later, the teacher can spare a class for students to share their experience or any feedback about using the tool - VYou.com, which I think will help students apply it more effectively.
• If having interests, the teacher can also create his/her own account, and upload the conversational video with his or her own style, aiming at setting up an alternative stage to help students solve any studying or living problems after class. 

Limitation

• Again, internet access is the basic require to use such amazing tool.
• Another shortcoming could be that the video maker may not reply the latest questions in time, as this tool may not support live or spontaneous conversations.
• Sometimes the video maker may not understand or reply the questions as expected. For example, you ask an open-ending question, the video maker may only answer in very few sentences. 
• Although there are plenty channels and topics, not every video is attractive or students may be interested.
• Finally, I think such tool may not be suitable for those whose English proficiency is low, as the some people speaks very fast in their videos.