It might seem strange and unlikely that watching serials can be useful for English learners, but it is far not correct, as in serials, such as "How I met your mother", "Everybody hates Chris", "The big bang theory" students can find lots of useful expressions, which are pure modern language elements.
It can be useful for teenagers and adults, and as long as these serials are funny, it would be real pleasure!
STEP 1: For starters we might choose one episode, write out some useful phrases and difficult ones to explain them to students in advance.
STEP 2: We show one episode, take 25 minutes off a lesson.
STEP 3: A discussion, that follows, would be a great way to practice the phrases.
STEP 4: Give your students a home assignment once in a while to watch other episodes, write out interesting expressions, prepare a retelling.
You will find it is a wonderful activity, I have tried it and now keep using it with my students!
- Elfresh's blog
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Hello, I also use episodes of popular soap operas with my young adult learners (18+) and I find them very motivating. Suddenly I have the attention of every single individual student but you should see the disappointement on their face when I pause the screening and ask them a question :)
Thanks for sharing.
I absolutely agree with you on the steps you've mentioned. Besides, there may be some additional work on behalf of the teacher to introduce the episode and get ss' attention.
Those serials you've mentioned are fine but may be there's mostly American English there. Maybe it would be great to get them acquainted with some British films too (e.g. "Doctor Who").
The language is spoken quickly, and some of the students may not be able to follow.
It may be worthwhile, after watching
the entire episode once, to focus on 2 minutes of dialog; teach the lexical items and idioms in
this segment, and even role play it.
asligokturk
I am 100% behind you, the disappointment is huge, still it is not all about just fun, some exercises should also be done for better perception.
Thank you so much for your comment!
Mike Le Prof
Yeah, British English is also represented through serials and films, like Sherlock, The IT Crowd, Doctor WHO and others!
Thank you for your kind comment!!!
BarriSilverberg
Of course the level of English should be rather high, and considering some dialogues is a good idea! The preparation is also of great importance, it makes it easier to get the idea and absorb new vocabulary!
Thanks a lot for your comment!
Elfresh, I couldn't agree more as they are teenagers and adults they would love to watch them. Besides, step 4 helps me think these serials as homework. I am sure most of them will be willing to watch the episode given to them as homework. They help our students see the usage of the language. The other motivation to watch them is the beautiful and handsome actors and actresses.
Thank you for the idea.
Gulnur
Gulnur
You are very welcome and THANK YOU for your kind comment! =)
The actors and actresses are really attractive and it adds to the point!
I would add the 5th item "Prepare a role play or Act as a main character" as a post-viewing stage. Why not watch cartoons? There is not need to deal with the high-level vocab. High-level vocabulary or some cultural moments can be demotivating for the Ss and cause an inhibitory effect on comprehension. Sitcoms are mostly culturally-embedded. Anybody can get stuck in vocab quicksand and not get to the goals of the lesson. I always choose something easy and light with just a few idioms to focus on. However, it depends on the students' proficiency level.
Yeah, a lot depends in the proficiency level, and cartoons are also a good choice, but thay have been used already for a long time, and some of them can also be rather difficult for beginning stages of LE.
Anyway thanks a lot for your ideas and the comment! =)