Teaching Tips to use films in your ESL Class Activities

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 Using films in ESL class activities can be a powerful tool to enhance language learning. Films not only provide exposure to authentic language in context but also engage students emotionally and intellectually, making the learning process enjoyable and effective. In this blog post, we'll explore some practical TEFL teaching tips for integrating movies into your ESL teaching resources, as well as recommend a list of engaging films suitable for your ESL classroom.

TEFL Teaching Tips for Using Films in ESL Class Activities

1. Pre-Viewing Activities

Before watching a movie, it's essential to prepare your students with some pre-viewing activities. This might include discussing the film's genre, background information, and key vocabulary. You can also show the movie trailer and ask students to predict the plot.

2. Active Watching

Encourage students to watch the film actively by providing them with a list of questions or specific scenes to focus on. This keeps them engaged and attentive, ensuring they grasp the key elements of the movie.

3. Movie Study and Discussion

After watching the film, facilitate a discussion about the key scenes, characters, and themes. Encourage students to express their opinions and feelings about the movie. This not only improves their speaking skills but also helps them to practice critical thinking.

4. Vocabulary Building

Use the film as a source of new vocabulary. Identify important or challenging words and phrases from the movie and create activities around them, such as matching exercises, fill-in-the-blanks, or using the words in sentences.

5. Role-Playing and Script Reading

Select a few significant scenes from the movie and have students act them out. This role-playing activity helps with pronunciation, intonation, and fluency. Additionally, script reading allows students to practice reading skills and understand the context of dialogues.

6. Writing Activities

Encourage students to write reviews of the film, summaries of the plot, or even alternate endings. This helps to improve their writing skills and allows them to use the new vocabulary and grammar structures they've learned.

7. Cross-Cultural Understanding

Many films offer insights into different cultures and societal norms. Use movies as a springboard to discuss cultural aspects and compare them with the students' own cultures. This not only broadens their understanding but also makes the lessons more relatable and interesting.

Recommended Movies for ESL Class Activities

1. Harry Potter Series

The Harry Potter films are excellent for ESL students. They are engaging, filled with rich vocabulary, and offer numerous themes for discussion, such as friendship, bravery, and good versus evil.

2. Victoria and Abdul

This historical drama provides a great opportunity to discuss British history and culture. It also presents a wealth of new vocabulary and complex sentence structures, making it suitable for intermediate to advanced learners.

3. Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump is a classic film that spans several decades of American history, making it ideal for discussions on cultural and historical topics. Its simple language and clear narration make it accessible for ESL learners.

4. Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park is perfect for engaging students with its exciting plot and stunning visuals. The film introduces scientific vocabulary and can be used to discuss themes like ethics in science and technology.

5. Dead Poets Society

This inspiring film is excellent for higher-level students. It offers deep themes about education, individuality, and the importance of following one's passion. It also provides rich vocabulary and idiomatic expressions.

6. The Pursuit of Happyness

This motivational movie is based on a true story and is perfect for discussions on perseverance, success, and the American Dream. It offers a lot of new vocabulary and real-life dialogues.

7. Finding Nemo

For younger learners or beginners, Finding Nemo is an excellent choice. Its simple language, engaging plot, and colorful characters make it a fun and educational film to use in the classroom.

8. The King's Speech

This film provides an excellent opportunity to discuss overcoming challenges and the power of speech. It is rich in historical context and offers a wide range of vocabulary.

By incorporating these films into your ESL class activities, you can create an immersive learning experience that enriches your students' understanding of English. Utilize these TEFL teaching tips and movie recommendations to build a diverse and engaging ESL teacher toolbox, making your lessons both educational and enjoyable.


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Location: New Jersey, Stati Uniti

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