Use of English-language mystery movies is recommended to teach English-as-a-Second-Language listening and speech skills outside an English-language environment. A variety of issues are discussed, including the following: presenting the film in segments for more effectiveness; presenting students with activities that develop specific aspects of the…

Discusses the use of early silent films in second-language classrooms, focusing on the experiences of one instructor in using early French silents in elementary and intermediate French courses. Sample lesson plans and information on the availability of French silents are also provided. (Contains 17 references.) (MDM)

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…

Using "Gone with the Wind" in its German language version provides language reinforcement as well as a means of augmenting the study of literature and cinematic adaptation and cultural contexts. Both novel and film serve as good sources for verbal and written exercises. (LET)

In an effort to facilitate students' understanding of films in the target language, many instructors turn to films with English subtitles. Viewing films subtitled in English does not encourage learners to use their previously acquired listening skills, but rather allows them to rely on reading English instead of making the extra effort required to…

This paper discusses the use of francophone films produced in French-speaking areas outside France in the second-language classroom, using several films from African countries and Canada as examples. The idea is that such films give students more than an abstract idea of a francophone region outside France, and represent large views of language…

A discussion of the use of movies on videotape in the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classroom begins with a brief review of the history and emergence of videotape recordings as a popular technology. The advantages of video as a language teaching aid are then examined, including its instructional flexibility, exposure to paralinguistic…

Authentic video documents produced for an audience of native speakers can provide a valuable complement to traditional teaching materials. Foreign language teachers will find the task of choosing materials both enriching and less demanding by working in teams. Practical ways the teacher can use "off-air" materials more effectively are suggested,…

Describes a unit on teaching Brecht in an introductory literature course, and suggests that students are better able to read and discuss Brecht's Hitler play if they first view and discuss Leni Riefenstahl's film Triumph of the Will. Guidelines are provided on how best to present and explore the two works with students. (LET)

Combined with a computer, videodisks of foreign films are helping second-language students at the University of Pennsylvania learn two neglected skills, listening and looking. The combination of attractive visual and linguistic information and fast pace stimulates vocabulary acquisition. The program has prepared 20 interactive videodiscs in 6…