Job Discussion Forums

[Non Sequitur]

As mentioned earlier use the movie as a reward.
I show one after mid semester assessment and one after final assessment.
School admins can sometimes get a bit anti over too many movies. I've known FTs who did little else in their classes.
Having the two movie classes programmed in as rewards can deflect any criticism.

[cormac]

[Non Sequitur]

At my last school not every classroom I was assigned had A/V projectors and screens and of those that were available, not all worked.
There is nothing more galling to teacher and students to keenly await a movie class and then have to cancel or look for a classroom nearby that isn't being used.
Full length features can take a whole class and 10 mins delay in getting started can cause its own set of problems.

[TexasHighway]

I agree with using movies as a reward and using them sparingly. Sometimes I use them during those holiday weeks where some classes have to be made up while others do not. It keeps my classes and lesson plans balanced. But often they are just a cop-out by the teacher who just doesn't feel like preparing a lesson. With the easy access of cheap dvds and free movies downloaded off the internet, the novelty of showing a movie has long since worn off for the students. When I do show a movie, a few students may be interested, while others are sleeping or straining their eyes in the dark to read a book or do homework. The format of a 25 minute sitcom fits the time contraints much better as you have time to discuss it. I try to find one whose theme fits in with the topic we are covering that particular week in class.

[mandu]

what about woodstock,gimmie shelter

[Non Sequitur]

I really have an issue with using class time to glorify Western youth culture - especially US.
We are here to facilitate the uptake of English as an international communications tool. The day when English was 'owned' by the native speaking cultures is well past.
Don't use the language as a means of re-colonising these learners.

[wangdaning]

When I show a movie I always show something they would not have seen. I showed "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and the students were really interested. If you show a new or well known film chances are they have seen it.

Of course, giving them a summary of the movie first helps. Introduce the plot, characters, setting, ect. I usually tie it in with a discussion and/or essay. Prompts could include things like, which character do you like best/least, explain why.

Any movie can work, but I prefer obscure things they will not know. It really comes down to how you plan it. Where I work you see your class 6-7 hours a week, so the time is there.

[PathToChina]

Depending on what level you are teaching, most students would love to watch newer movies if you can possibly get them. When in China, there are boot legged DVD's shops all over to find what you are looking for. There are some possibilities to show a movie and through in a lecture as well. An example would be, have the students write down 5 phrases they have never heard before. This might include some slang words or what not. They will pay closer attention to the movie this way I have noticed.

It also helps to show the movie with Chinese subtitles. Hope this helps!

[coco1979]

The Hugh Grant stuff worked well for me

[psychedelic]

"I really...............especially U.S." First of all, why don't you get off your high horse and drop the high-brow and condenscending attitude? My main goal for showing the movie (something that I do very rarely)..which went well..is to foster and encourage discussion amongst my students. Using the media..like a movie..can be a good way to facilitate discussion and encourage my students to practice their oral communication. Are you even from the United States? No, I don't think so. ( Have you ever met some of the really nice and well-mannered American youth that I have? No, you probably haven't. Of course, there are those that are not so nice..just LIKE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES!! Aren't there? But I NEVER HEAR about some of the a******s that I've met or been around or read about from Engluuund or Canaduh or The Netherlands or So. Korea,etc. Never anything about the a*****e youth culture from those countries. Why don't you ef yourself?

Have a good one!

[psychedelic]

Oh, and the movie that I showed has nothing to do with glorifying Western culture..especially U.S.!! ****.

[Non Sequitur]

Woodstock the movie and Gimme Shelter the RS song are centred on Western youth culture and I stand by my comments that (as interesting as some may find them) it is not what we're here to teach.

[Brian Hugh]

China Movie magic has an URL on this site. He showed me how to work a movie in one of his many EFL conferences that he demoed. Andy also has left many ideas for using movies. Andy's method was to stop the film and ask students what had happened and then ask them what will happen.
I use silent films like Charlie Chaplin and Mr Bean for lower level learners and then have them chorus what is going on in the film. You can have high level students role play parts of other movies. The older movies are the best because the actors in the past were trained on the stage and had better pronunciation. You can easily get the scripts for films like "Casablanca and Gone with the Wind" in Chinese and English. Students read the Chinese transcript of the movie for homework they watch the film with you in class in English. The other advantage of older movies is that you don't have to fast forward when things get too steamy.
If you want to cover your derriere, because you must in China, have the students answer questions that you give out before they view the film.