Video Commentary

Level: Intermediate & above.

Timing: Approx. 50 minutes.

Mats: VCR. A copy of whichever video you have decided to use.

Aim: To learn & practice vocab necessary to describe a sequence of action.

Notes: Thanks go to Greg Boyko, a colleague at Oxford Study Services in the summer of 99, for explaining this excellent idea for a lesson. You want a movie with a high action content, or at least ten mins worth. Bond movies are superb for this because they always open with an extended action sequence - we used 'Tomorrow Never Dies' - & tend to be popular with Ss.

Procedure: Stage One

T: Split the Ss into two teams. 

Ss: Team B sit with their backs to the video so they CANNOT see the action. Team A watches with the sound TURNED DOWN. Each S takes a one minute turn to commentate on the action. (go round again if necessary until the sequence has finished).

T: Assist if needed & make notes on suitable vocabulary to describe the scene.

Stage Two

T: Congratulate your Ss on having done a good job - Team A has the most difficult task describing 1st time round. Now give the class some of the vocab you have noted down in reference to particular aspects of the sequence.

Ss: Now the two teams switch places. There should be an improvement in the language used for the description as Team B have already heard Team A's efforts & received further input from the T.

T: Make notes again to add to your vocab list.

Stage 3

T: Again congratulate your Ss - they are having to work quite hard in this class! (Although in a fun way - :) ) Now give the class more vocab from your list.

Ss: Teams swop places again with Team A now commentating for a second time. Again there should be a development in their use of the language.

Stage 4

Ss: Reward time. All Ss get to watch the whole ten minute sequence with the sound up & with nothing further expected of them than to enjoy it.

So what did you think? How did it go? Let me & others know at the Efl Alt Message Board!

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