Fed up with always doing the same thing?
Want a break in between units?
Trying to find
something different for a change?
According to Carme Porcel, the answer to all
these questions is easy: we, English Language Teachers, just need to choose a
film and use it as a teaching method.
We ,English Language teachers always look for something that will create
completely different atmosphere for students. I would like to provide you with
an idea that will help you to make some changes in your ESL classroom. This is
something you do every day but pay no attention how useful it can be. This
simple thing can be used for mastering and brushing up your language.
TEACHING ENGLISH WITH FILMS
Content:
· Introduction;
· Merits of using Film, How to use film in ESL Classrooms;
· How to select film and what to consider;
· Survey&Experiment Results;
· Conclusion.
The
importance of learning the English Language has become more significant over
the last decade. We are all aware that there are different new approaches in teaching
English. As we live in advanced technological world, most of students tend to
enjoy learning with audiovisual aids. Due to this, the teaching approach that will
be discussed in my paper is one of the best approaches to implement in ESL Classrooms.
If you are looking for something to motivate your students, then that something
may be a film. Definitely, using film in ELL classrooms gives students a great
opportunity to improve all language skills (Speaking, Listening, Writing, and Reading),
as it contains authentic language and behavior. The paper views what makes
films a powerful educational tool in English classes.
Using
film as a tool for education has a numbers of merits. Statistics reveals that,
youth on average watch 25 minutes of films per day. Why not make this an
enjoyable teaching/learning opportunity? Martin Bradley, the author of a resource
book for teachers of English as a foreign language, believes that using film
as an instructional tool in ESL classes is a way to bring the outside world
into our classroom. In teaching
English as a second language films help trigger discussions, set up writing
tasks and can be used to practice listening skills, learn vocabulary or get
students used to hearing how native speakers "really" communicate.
Besides, the use of film in the classroom can enhance the motivation of the
learners. Using films through specific task activities provides an ideal
vehicle for active learning, as well as encouraging interaction and
participation. Definitely, using film in ELL classrooms gives students a great
opportunity to improve all language skills. You may ask a question, how? It is
noteworthy that there are already readymade film scenes, which range from 2–5
minutes. As Martin Bradley, writes, each scene has been carefully chosen,
researched and categorized under themes. Themes of the scenes include: Cultural
differences, helping others, Teaching, Travel etc. How all these encourage us
in developing certain skills? These are specific task activities, what learners
can do after watching a film in order to improve a particular skill. Completing
Listening-Gist to practice listening skills; to make discussions for speaking
skills; to write an alternative ending/to write about what happened in the
scene- for writing skills; to improve their reading skills, we can bring for
them films that are adapted from novels, short stories and etc, which enhances
students’ interests in analyzing the written work. Studying a cinematic
adaptation of a literary work will allow students to make comparison between
the written original and cinematic version.
How to
select film and what to consider? These are the main questions which we should
bear in mind before selecting a film. If we decide to choose a film for our
learners by ourselves, we have to take into consideration these following main
aspects: 1) There should be chosen a film which is in proper with learners’
level of language knowledge. 2) We should avoid choosing a scene which is
inappropriate and offensive to their culture.
Based on
my Survey results, where participated more than 60 people (including students
and EL teachers), this approach should be implemented as ELT method from
Elementary School and it should be used in ESL classrooms at least once a week,as well as, 100% of survey participants have positive attitude
toward usage of film as an educational tool in ESL Classroom. In addition, according to my experiment which I carried out in a private school,
it turned out that fourth grade pupils benefited from film lesson.The experiment had following stages, first of all they
watched the film “Mirror&Mirror”. After
watching a film they were split into two groups and asked to write an
alternative ending of the film, as well as, to draw a picture of the scene and
then to describe it. Engagement of the learners was high and the teacher found
that it was productive for ELL, as they learnt new words during these
activities.
To conclude, from my point of view, crucial merit of using film for EL
learners is motivation. Carme Porcel,
who is English Language Teacher based on his experience believes that using
films in ESL classrooms is really
rewarding both for teachers and students. From his point of view, for teachers,
it is the perfect way to motivate their students. He thinks that when language
learners feel motivated the learning process is easier and flows smoothly. Thus, this educational tool helps English Language
Learners to enrich vocabulary, to improve Oral and Aural skills, moreover
raises intercultural awareness and develops critical understanding. To my mind
implementing this approach as an instructional tool in Georgian Schools(and
not only in Georgian schools , generally for every students to whom English is
L2)
Author: Guranda Khabeishvili
References:
Magazine/Web Articles:
Lowe Mark (January 2008) Films
in English Language Teaching. Big screen benefits Modern English Teacher, Vol. 17-1
Books:
Martin Bradley (Author), Publisher: stone river books;
1ST edition (2013), Teaching with Film: A resource book for
teachers of English as a foreign language.
Websites:
Do
you support an idea of implementing this approach in ESL Classroom?
What do you think, will it be productive for English Language Learners?
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