Job Discussion Forums

Dilla-gent · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 21

Hi, anyone know if and where I can get DVDs of Seinfeld episodes with Japanese subtitles?? I wanted to do an activity at my school where the students would watch a Seinfeld episode and complete a worksheet about it.
I pitched the idea to my Japanese co-teacher, but he insisted I find a copy with subtitles, since my VHS copy didnt have any. I felt that it kinda defeated the purpose, but his reasoning is that the student's levels are really low, and that they would get bored and not listen since they wouldn't understand anything. He does have a point, and I don't see this lesson happening unless I find a subtitled version...
I don't remember seeing Seinfeld at any video stores here, so I though I'd ask. But I don't wanna drop loads of yen on a DVD set; a rental is good enough.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I used to work with a very high level Japanese woman who had lived in the USA for a year. She constantly watches CNN and NHK English programs, and she is in love with several American TV shows. She diligently watches them and takes notes of words or expressions she can't quite catch, then she used to come to me for clarification.

Trust me. If SHE can't catch a lot of the meaning, your low level students will have even more trouble.

Go with Wallace and Gromit instead.

angrysoba · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 446 Location: Kansai, Japan

I take it you work as an ALT in a public high school if you have to get permission from your Japanese co-teacher to plan your lessons. In my own experience with high school students I have found them to be very interested indeed in Jewish-American humour. They're always coming up to me in the corridor and whispering conspiratorially "Are you still Master of your Domain?" That will be completely lost in it's subtitled form I am sure.

Dilla-gent · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 21

Yeah, I know it sounds difficult, and I don't expect the students to catch any words. My JTE asked me to make an activity to review the previous unit. I wanted to incorporate some video into the lesson, to mix it up and try to spark some interest in some of these kids, some who seem to have given up on English already.
The worksheet I made up is just some fill-in-the-blank sentences using vocab they learned in that unit. I would tell them when the next hint is coming for the next question. They could probably do the worksheet without even watching the show, but I thought it would be fun to watch it, and show how the words are used in different contexts.
Any good suggestions then for using video? I don't know no f*ckin wallace n gromit.

angrysoba · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 446 Location: Kansai, Japan

Doesn't this:

Dilla-gent · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 21

With the worksheet I made, they would just have to fill in the blanks right. They could probably get it just by watching, only visuals. But, with the sentences finished, they could see how the words are used in that context. Naw mean?
I chose Seinfeld cuz it was convenient, I had it on tape, and I managed to come up with sentences related to the episode, using words they recently learned. Is this not a decent activity? Constructive criticism only please.

angrysoba · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 446 Location: Kansai, Japan

Dilla-gent · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 21

Alright soba, thanks for the cons. crit earlier...I wasn't aiming my request at you...I just don't want some b.s. sarcastic replies like the ones I read in other threads. I only use this sight for real problems I want advice on, not to bicker with all these bored computer freaks.
Basically, the sentences the students have to complete, describe things that happened in the show. The sentences contain some simple past-tense structures, plus the new words they have used. This is for 2nd-year JHS students. Again, I wanted to do something different, cuz a lot of these students seem bored of traditional games. I've read a lot about people using tv shows and movies in their lessons, but no details on how they used them. So, I just thought of this as an idea. My JTE said it was cool, but insisted sub-titles are a must...hence my OP.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Depends on the type of action you're trying to describe, as well as the vocabulary load. I love using Mr. Bean videos, as well as segments of animations that I have made worksheets for that fit in with what I'm teaching. The subtitles are not always necessary, though it is sometimes useful for lower level students so that they don't tune out completely.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Seinfeld is on TV here although the channel escapes me right now (Super channel??) It's also subtitled.

Dilla-gent · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 21

Hey Markle, what is the Super Channel?
I get a few english channels in my apt. including Fox Japan. But I've never seen any Seinfeld episodes on any channel.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Seinfeld, low level, junior high school... Rolling Eyes

Scrap whatever you have and actually create a lesson that the students will actually learn something.

Hoser · Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 694 Location: Toronto, Canada

Yeah I can't see this working. Humour is bound to fail because not only is the language difficult to comprehend, but the fact of the matter is that what Japanese people find humourous and what we find humourous is completely different-it just doesn't translate as well as say, a drama. I suspect that's why it's very difficult to find episodes of Seinfeld or Friends or Frasier over here but you look on TV and all there is is 24, ER, animated movies etc.