Using films in class brings a whole world of opportunities to explore several skills!...
You can use them to practise writing, e.g. ask students to write the film review; you can use them to focus on pronunciation and accents; you can use them to do grammar contextualized exercises, e.g. the Reported Speech, based on a dialogue between two characters; you can use them to explore vocabulary; you can use them to articulate with other subjects or to focus on cultural aspects of a specific country or epoch... And much more, depending on your creativity and imagination. Or needs!...
Today I suggest the film 'The Life of Brian'. It's the perfect comedy to introduce your students to the finest British Humour. 'The Life of Brian' is a Monty Python's production... Needless to say you'll spend the whole film laughing...
'Brian is born on the original Christmas, in the stable next door. He spends his life being mistaken for a Messiah...'
Your students won't probably understand all the punch lines... You can always pause the film and explain why you are bursting into tears... In addition, you'll be practising their speaking skills...
You could use this film at the end of the 1st term to celebrate Christmas... Or at the beginning of the 2nd term, not only to celebrate the Three Wise Men but also to start the New Year smoothly... Or if you have to lecture the topic 'cinema and films'.
Showing the subtiles depends on your students' listening comprehension skills. If you think they are strong enough to understand the basics, don't use them. But if you have weaker students, I would advise you to use them. If they don't understand 'the whole picture', they won't pay attention and you will be wasting your time!...
Take a look at the trailer, in case you haven't watched the film yet!... I dare you to stop laughing...
You might also like to read
