Feature Films in English Language Teaching


Book Description

Feature Films in English Language Teaching deals with the use of motion pictures in the advanced EFL (English as a foreign language) classroom. It provides a general introduction to film literacy and explains the rationale, methods, and objectives of working with feature films. In addition, the book contains in-depth considerations on sixteen selected films, which are grouped regionally (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, Great Britain). Each chapter describes the topical focus of the film and its central theme and provides background information on social, historical, political, and geographical issues. A profound analysis of selected scenes lays the foundation for considerations on the teaching potential of the film. In a download section, the chapters are complemented with ready-to-use teaching materials on film-specific aspects (narrative, dramatic and cinematographic dimensions), which are organised as pre-/while-/post-viewing activities. A glossary on technical terms for film analysis completes the volume.




Delta Teacher Development Series: Film in Action


Book Description

From the multi-award-winning DELTA TEACHER DEVELOPMENT SERIESFilm in Action convincingly places the moving image at the centre of the 21st century language learning agenda. This ground-breaking book shows how teachers can benefit enormously from the emergence of video distribution sites and the proliferation of mobile devices.The book invites teachers to experiment with film, and provides:• Insights into how learners can engage with film.• Over 100 activities for teachers to bring film into the language class.• Steps for teachers and learners to create their own moving images.We are living in an age of visual information and Film in Action takes on the challenge of the digital revolution to show teachers the educational benefits of not just watching but also creating moving images.Film in Action contains three distinctive parts, which focus in turn on theory, practice and development:Part A introduces the many different aspects of film: how it can inspire, while exposing learners to a wide range of authentic language, improving comprehension, intercultural understanding and visual literacy.Part B contains over 100 activities – from an exploratory look at film itself – across two chapters which move from responding actively to film to actively producing film. The activities are clearly and simply set out, mixing highly original ideas with reassuringly ‘classical’ procedures.Part C goes beyond the classroom into the wider school environment and into a world dominated by visual information, by looking at innovative ways to integrate moving images through longer, more complex projects.




Great Films and how to Teach Them


Book Description

Costanzo combines a love of film viewing with the practical side of expressing film study to students, including the art of transforming fiction into film, history and business of the industry, and film genres. He also includes study guides for fourteen films, including "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Romeo and Juliet," "Mississippi Masala," "Schindler's List," "The Shawshank Redemption," "Run Lola Run," "The Matrix," and "Bend It Like Beckham."




Using Film and Media in the Language Classroom


Book Description

This book demonstrates the positive impact of using film and audiovisual material in the language classroom. The chapters are evidence-based and address different levels and contexts of learning around the world. They demonstrate the benefits of using moving images and films to develop intercultural awareness and promote multilingualism, and suggest Audiovisual Translation (AVT) activities and projects to enhance language learning. The book will be a valuable continuing professional development resource for language teachers and those involved in curriculum development, as well as bringing the latest research, theory and pedagogical techniques to teacher training courses.




Teaching Analysis of Film Language


Book Description

Combining the creative perspectives of filmmakers with more analytic academic methods, this study invites film students to take an active approach in learning to understand how audiovisual language is used to create meaning in films. While the main focus is on the concept of film language, case study readings of The Warrior (2002) and Traffic (2001) place these films in their institutional contexts to demonstrate the multifaceted nature of how meaning is created. This study gives particular emphasis to understanding cinemaphotography, editing, music, and setting. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own responses and develop reading skills through a range of online classroom activities that demonstrate how audience interaction works to create meaning in film. Technical terms and techniques are explained in an extensive glossary and in special explanatory sections illustrated by a range of films.




Reading in the Dark


Book Description

To believe that students are not using reading and analytical skills when they watch or "read" a movie is to miss the power and complexities of film--and of students' viewing processes. This book encourages teachers to harness students' interest in film to help them engage critically with a range of media, including visual and printed texts. Toward this end, the book provides a practical guide to enabling teachers to feel comfortable and confident about using film in new and different ways. It addresses film as a compelling medium in itself by using examples from more than 30 films to explain key terminology and cinematic effects. And it then makes direct links between film and literary study by addressing "reading strategies" (e.g., predicting, responding, questioning, and storyboarding) and key aspects of "textual analysis" (e.g., characterization, point of view, irony, and connections between directorial and authorial choices). The book concludes with classroom-tested suggestions for putting it all together in teaching units on 11 films ranging from "Elizabeth" to "Crooklyn" to "Smoke Signals." Some other films examined are "E.T.,""Life Is Beautiful,""Rocky,""The Lion King," and "Frankenstein." (Contains 35 figures. Appendixes include a glossary of film terms, blank activity charts, and an annotated resource list.) (NKA)




Short Films in Language Teaching


Book Description

The second volume in the new academic series SELT (Studies in English Language Teaching) is also divided into three parts: A. Theory – B. Methodology – C. CIassroom. Part A highlights the topic from the perspectives of different academic disciplines, in this case from a TEFL as well as from a film-didactic and a cultural-literary viewpoint. In part B, methodological contributions on selected short films and suitable procedures are assembled. Part C is a collection of concrete sample lessons for teaching English with short films at various levels. These lesson plans have been designed at university, carried out and evaluated by 11 experienced teachers, and finally revised by the editor. Peer reviewing is guaranteed by an academic advisory council consisting of six well-known TEFL professors. The new series, above all, aims at bridging didactic research and classroom practice. Thus it is intended for foreign language lecturers, students, teacher trainers and teachers.




Reading the Movies


Book Description

Provides an overview of the film genre and illustrates how traditional textual analysis can be used to understand a film's themes.




Language Learning Beyond the Classroom


Book Description

This volume presents case studies of language learning beyond the classroom. The studies draw on a wide range of contexts, from North and South America to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Each provides principled links between theory, research and practice. While out-of-class learning will not replace the classroom, ultimately all successful learners take control of their own learning. This book shows how teachers can help learners bridge the gap between formal instruction and autonomous language learning. Although English is the primary focus of most chapters, there are studies on a range of other languages including Spanish and Japanese.




Design Solutions for Adaptive Hypermedia Listening Software


Book Description

Adaptive hypermedia listening software enables materials writers to combine and deliver a wide range of digital elements on the same digital computer platform more efficiently. Such a combination and delivery provides a multidimensional, multi-sensory digital environment in which rich, efficient, instant, comprehensible, optimum, and meaningful input and feedback can be presented effectively and efficiently. Moreover, language learners’ attention can be drawn to forms and meanings in input. Such aspects correspond with different theories and hypotheses of language learning and teaching. This presents users/learners with an environment that is easy to use, tension-free, and optimal during self-study. However, to be able to design and develop cost effective and professional adaptive hypermedia listening software, there are certain scientific educational findings and implications that need to be implemented at every single stage. To have access to such vital findings is not so easy, and research must address this area. Design Solutions for Adaptive Hypermedia Listening Software explores how to design and create technically and pedagogically sound and efficient interactive adaptive hypermedia listening software for language learners in any language. The chapters will cover learner strategy tools, the effectiveness of this technology, best practices in adaptive hypermedia listening software, and the benefits and challenges of this technology for language learning. It is ideal for companies, institutions, teachers, policymakers, academicians, researchers, advanced-level students, technology developers, and decision-making pertinent government officials interested in designing and developing multimedia listening environments for language learners.