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macroidtoe
Joined: 27 Jul 2010
Posts: 128
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 Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:00 am Post subject: Short movie/TV episode recommendation for 11-year-olds? |
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The end of the term is drawing near, and although I usually prefer to avoid using movies in class, I've told the students that we'd watch something during the last week if they do a good job of participating.
The problem is that the class period is only 45 minutes long, so any full length movie is out of the question. The second issue is that I'm teaching 11-year-olds, some of whom are in the "slow class" and are at a much lower level than the others. I'm probably going to end up turning on Chinese subtitles for their sake, but I'd still like for them to be able to pick out and understand some of the English dialogue.
So I need something that will fit within the available time while also having fairly simple English. Something closer to 30 minutes would be even better, leaving time for a post-movie exercise.
I have some short Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness episodes which would seem like a good choice at first glance... but like most modern cartoons, it's just non-stop fast-cuts between scenes of hyperactive antics and shouting, way too hard too follow, I think. Plus the English level is too high, with a lot of slang thrown around.
My girlfriend recommended some Winnie the Pooh, but Tigger has a lisp, Piglet stutters, etc. (Plus some of the kids will think its too kiddy because, you know, they're at that age.)
Any suggestions, or anything you've used in the past which either worked/didn't work? |
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JamesD
Joined: 17 Mar 2003
Posts: 934
Location: "As far as I'm concerned bacon comes from a magical happy place."
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| Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:24 am Post subject: |
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Mr. Bean, the god of Chinese comedy.
Have them do their own voice-over. |
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kev7161
Joined: 06 Feb 2004
Posts: 5880
Location: Suzhou, China
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| Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:41 am Post subject: |
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You can download almost any cartoon TV series like X-Men, Spider-Man, Avengers, etc. Each episode is roughly 22 minutes so two of these would be almost perfect. Now, they don't have Chinese subtitles though, so that could be a problem for you. You can look on Youku and maybe they would. Ask a Chinese colleague for help.
Don't ask me to name them, but there are plenty of Disney Channel and Nickelodean shows that are aimed right at your age group. Do a search and you may find something. Again, minus commercials, about 22 minutes.
Obviously, a visit to your local DVD shop may produce some results. But I vote for kid-friendly sitcoms or some cartoon that is geared for "tweens". I think I saw some "Ben 10" DVDs last time I was out buying. |
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nomad-ish
Joined: 21 Oct 2010
Posts: 153
Location: Moving up the food chain!
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| Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:22 pm Post subject: |
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| JamesD wrote: |
Mr. Bean, the god of Chinese comedy.
Have them do their own voice-over. |
seconded!
mr. bean is a great pick for relaxing esl classes. there's a lot of physical humor and not a lot of english (so you won't need subtitles); the kids will be entertained and be able to follow the plot.
also, the episodes aren't that long; maybe 25 min.? so a decent amount of time for some comprehension activities at the end.
there's a christmas/new years one that might be interesting for the kids. certain traditions they might not be familiar with (opening crackers), so you may have to pause the video to explain things. |
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choudoufu
Joined: 25 May 2010
Posts: 3325
Location: Mao-berry, PRC
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| Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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http://members.outpost10f.com/~lindax/spongebob/index.html
Welcome to the Spongebob Squarepants Fan Website!
Captain: Are you ready kids
Kids: Aye Aye Captain.
Captain: I can't hear you.
Kids: Aye Aye Captain!
Captain: OHHHHHHH
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?
Kids: SpongeBob SquarePants!
Captain: Absorbant and yellow and porous is he!
Kids: SpongeBob SquarePants!
Captain: If nautical nonsense be something you wish!
Kids: SpongeBob SquarePants!
Captain: Then drop on the deck and flop like a fish!
Kids: SpongeBob SquarePants!
Captain: Ready?
Captain and Kids: SpongeBob SquarePants, SpongeBob SquarePants,
SpongeBob SquarePants!
Captain: SpongeBob SquarePaaaaannttss!!!
Captain: HA HA HA HA !!!!
Spongebob: (Whistle) |
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lionheartuk
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Posts: 173
Location: Guangdong
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| Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 3:31 am Post subject: |
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I have shown Wallace and Gromit shorts. A close shave and The wrong trousers. Both have English subs with them and also a workbook if you can get it. I would explain any words that may be too difficult for them to understand. Also I would show Shaun the sheep episodes which are funny, only 7 mins long and no dialogue but there are plenty of conversation opps to use.
The wallace shorts I got from englishtips.org website. |
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xiguagua
Joined: 09 Oct 2011
Posts: 768
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| Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:38 am Post subject: |
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I did How the Grinch Stole Christmas for high schoolers. They can't understand the nonsense words that Dr Seuss loves but they really enjoyed it.
I've also shown Man vs Food which showcases a lot of American food culture. They loved it. And showing it right before lunch always gets some mouths watering. I'm cruel  |
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kev7161
Joined: 06 Feb 2004
Posts: 5880
Location: Suzhou, China
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| Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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| One of my students brought in a DVD that had all the Pixar short films on them. They are probably no longer than 5 minutes each. Many of them have no dialogue at all. |
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