Audio description as an effective learning tool in the L1 and L2 language class: Theory and applications in primary school settings

Audio Description (AD), the transforming of visual images into words, was originally intended for visually impaired audiences, i.e. the primary users of this service. However, the benefits of AD can be extended to other users, including language learners of varying levels and ages. Furthermore, based on the level of sophistication or simplification of the AD text (in the forms, respectively, of ‘enriched’ and ‘easy-to-understand’ ADs), the service can be calibrated according to a diversity of individual needs. In this paper, we shall concentrate on the pedagogical potentials of both screen and art AD, and we will theorise and exemplify AD-based language-class activities that are based on the results from a small pilot focus-group activity.