Film Guide- The Holdovers (2023)

Learning English with Film

Set during the winter of 1970, The Holdovers is a witty, heartfelt comedy-drama that takes place at an elite New England prep school. Curmudgeon Paul Hunham, a strict classics teacher , is forced to remain on campus during the holiday break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually, he forms an unlikely bond with a sharp-tongued, trouble maker and the school’s head cook, who is grieving the loss of a son in Vietnam..

The Holdovers expertly blends humour with moments of genuine emotional depth, offering a nuanced exploration of the human condition. At its core, The Holdovers portrays the remarkable lives of ordinary people united by shared adversity

With its snowy backdrop, sharp wit, and memorable performances, this film offers a rich opportunity to engage students in discussions about growing up, human relationships, the role of education, and the unexpected ways friendships can form.

One of the key reasons for using movies in ESL is to expose learners to comprehensive, authentic language on a regular basis. This is particularly important in countries where English language films and programmes have been dubbed with a soundtrack that is different from the original. But we also want to provide students with an opportunity for using English. The following structure is purposely designed to ensure that students are actively engaged in all the aspects of language acquisition

Preview: This session is primarily concerned with conversation. Students take part in a number of paired discussions (on themes related to the movie) each lasting approx fifteen minutes. The aim is to ensure that every participant speaks with at least three other members during an entire ninety minute session

Homestudy: Each ESL film guide offers the possibility of extensive reading and listening, incidental and intentional vocabulary learning, and provides helpful background information . Students receive the material six days in advance ensuring they have ample time to complete all the tasks

Movie Night: Here students are provided with a forum for extensive listening, reading (subtitles) and discussion

Details below

Previewing: Classroom Discussions (90 mins) Student Handouts and Teacher’s Notes below
Home Study: Student’s Film Guide (2-3 hours)
Movie Night: (2-3 hours)

PREVIEWING

Classroom Discussions (90 mins)

Student Handouts

name movies (5-7 mins)
match text with posters (10-15 mins)
match posters with movie title (5-7 mins)
talk about the six movies (10-15 mins)
write/discuss The Holdovers poster (5-7 mins)
read plot plus comprehension questions (5-7 mins)
pair work discussion questions (10-15 mins)
pair work discussion questions (10-15 mins)

Teacher’s Notes

name the movie (Handout 1)
read text (Handout 2)
match poster with movie (Handout 3)
talk about movies
show Poster (The Holdovers)
read Plot (Handout 4)
discussion Questions (Handout 5 & 6)

Home Study

(2-3 hours)

ESL Film Guide The Holdovers

Instructions

download The Holdovers film guide (get in touch below for PDF file)
complete the gap-fill exercises on pages 38–41
complete the idiom/phrasal verb exercises on pages 41–45
read the dialogue page 4-37
listen to interviews (weblinks) page 46
compare answers next time in class
consider two questions to ask your partner after watching the movie

MOVIE NIGHT

2-3 Hours

Check Homework (10-15 mins)

check gap-fill exercise
check idiom/phrasal verb exercise
check listening exercise
discuss dialogue

Watch Movie (90-130 mins)

English subtitles
English language
mobile phones off
completely darkened room

Discuss Movie (20-30 mins)

Q1: in pairs (10-15 mins)
Q2: change pairs (10-15 mins)
Feedback entire group (5-10mins)