This chapter describes a pedagogical approach that blends theory and practice in upper-level French film classes, but the objectives, design, and assignments are applicable to many contexts in which instructors might want to engage with visual material. Reading, viewing, writing, lecture, and discussion combine with practical filmmaking workshops…

The teaching of culture has become gradually more significant for all teachers involved in language education; it has been referred as the "hidden curriculum" of foreign language teaching. Because of limited time available in the classroom and curriculum constraints, the inclusion of cultural lessons often comes second to the teaching of…

Studies made in the last few years show that using films in language classrooms is an effective way in teaching a foreign language. Well-chosen films can serve as a valuable pedagogical aid, both for classroom use and self-study. This article is about using films in language classrooms through a specially designed course, whose outline description…

Involving reluctant and low-achieving students with reading is an essential step to increasing students' content area knowledge. One way to increase students' engagement with text is by linking social studies content with foreign films that have English subtitles. Not only can subtitled films help increase students' engaged time with text, but the…

Discusses the rationale and technique for using subtitled foreign films with an integrated language approach in a developmental college reading class. Reports student attitudes. Shows that the subtitled films motivated students to read, gave them good time on task, and improved their knowledge of other cultures and eras. (SR)

Describes an intermediate-level college course based on authentic, unedited, German television murder mysteries that lend themselves well to language instruction and maintain student motivation, improve listening comprehension, and, through accompanying exercises, support speaking, reading, and writing skills. (four references) (Author/CB)

Suggests that the study of Chinese films should be more than just merely an adjunct to Chinese literature studies but an analysis of Chinese literary adaptation in terms of the aesthetic, narrative, intellectual, and political concerns of the period in which the film adaptation was made. (six references) (CB)

Recent social and political changes in the USSR have made available some 60 previously unreleased films, which were produced during the last 20 years and withheld from release by the Union of Soviet Filmmakers. In 1986, much of this group's leadership was removed leading to an atmosphere more favorable to wider distribution. Some of these films…

An approach that introduces a Quebec film into a college-level course for advanced students of French is described. The technique addresses three aspects of the film: organization; the significance of certain film-making processes; and cultural and social aspects of the film as they relate to Quebecoise culture. (MSE)

Describes and assesses Florida State University's two-week summer institute on the use of video materials in the classroom. Four general methodological statements for initiating the presentation of Spanish language films to high school students are provided as well as recommendations about presentation of full length movies in Spanish. (nine…

Describes a university's use of a multilingual cable network as a foreign language instructional resource by incorporating series, news programs, and commercials into foreign language courses. (CB)

A description of a secondary school Italian course using literature and film as teaching resources illustrate how the use of a communicative approach can foster the natural integration and development of listening, understanding, speaking, reading, and writing skills. (two references) (CB)

The history of filmmaking in China and Japan and film usage in teaching are considered in this document. Pointing out how films describe historical context and culture, the document also describes various techniques of film making. Films in China were heavily influenced by western models and have tended to be tools of the power structure, as…

Describes an approach to French literature that looks at the process of making a novel into a film. The technique focuses on comparisons of composition, characters, and language. (MSE)

Let students travel to countries around the world and experience life in different cultures and times by using foreign films with English subtitles in the classroom. Author Kerry Holmes, contends that students want to read as they become involved in the plot of a movie, their interests are piqued by novelty, and their attention is attracted to…