The English Language Film Club
Putting film at the heart of language learning
About
The English Language Film Club is a hybrid language course for ESL and EFL learners. Using a blended learning approach, students complete comprehensive homework (weekly Film Guide) in advance of watching feature length films in class.
With access to over 100 Film Guides ( classic, modern, adventure, biographical, historical and more) and lesson plans, as well as articles, advice and workshops on using film in language learning, the English Language Film Club has everything you need to establish film as a regular feature in your learning centre.
How it Works
Our unique twelve week course has two components: Homestudy and Movie Night. Homestudy prepares students for watching feature length films, with weekly film guides available six days in advance. In addition to key dialogue, each film guide contains a list of major characters, a plot summary, gap fill exercise, idiom/phrasal verb exercise, background information and youtube links to interviews with directors and stars. Movie Night begins with paired discussion with students comparing various aspects of homework. We recommend that movies are screened in a totally darkened room and thirty minutes are set aside for paired discussion after viewing.
Contact frank@vhsteacher.com for details on how to set up an English language film club in your school
Home Study
- plot summary (200 word)
- list of major characters
- key dialogue (15-20 pages)
- vocabulary gap-fill exercise (min 26 words)
- idioms/phrasal verbs (20-30)
- background information (2-3 pages)
- youtube links (when available: interviews with directors, stars,critics,etc)
- paced learning (home study is available 6 days in advance)
- pause, rewind, or listen again to video exercise
- authentic reading and listening material
- discussion questions (self-generated)
Movie Night
- check homework–20 mins
- watch movie – 90-130 mins
- read sub-titles
- see language in context
- hear authentic language (accent, dialect, pitch, tone,stress,etc.)
- paired discussion (2 x 15 mins) –30 mins
- new partner/s every week
- engaging content ( Hollywood blockbusters – Independent productions)
- thought provoking themes (environment, LGBT, racism,
adventure, love, the future, politics, etc.)
Who is this course for?
The English Language Film Club is ideal for ESL/EFL learners who want to improve their fluency in English. Participants must have a minimum level of B1 in English, be willing to dedicate two hours per week to homestudy, attend a weekly film club and take part in paired discussions . Our course is perfect for participants who can answer Yes to all the following statements
I want to improve my fluency in English
I love watching English movies
I’m more interested in improving fluency than learning grammar
I can dedicate two hours each week to homework
I can commit three hours each week to an English language Film Club
I learnt English at primary and/or secondary school
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
What We Offer
We create comprehensive film guides to help ESL learners watch feature length films in a classroom based English language film club
The English Language Film Club is a twelve week programme combining both home study with watching feature length films class. The blended course allows students to benefit from both passive and active learning and is designed to expose learners to the widest possible range of authentic English language.
What Next ?
Would you like a weekly English Language Film Club in your school or adult education centre? Then get in touch today. Setting up a Film Club can be a richly rewarding experience for both language learners and teachers, and it’s remarkably simple to get started.
If you are interested in joining, or require more information, use the contact form opposite