The Seven Best Short Films for ELT Students - Kieran Donaghy I’ve been writing lesson plans designed around short films for my website Film English for six years. Teachers often ask me how I find the short films I use in my lesson plans. The answer is quite simple: I’ve watched literally thousands of short films and developed an instinct for the type of engaging and simple short films which will work in the ELT classroom. In this article I’d like to share what for me are the seven best short films for the language classroom. The Mirror The Mirror is a short film by Ramon and Pedro which tells the story of a boy’s journey from childhood to old age. The Notebook The notebook is a moving short film by Greg Gray and is wonderful for introducing the theme of empathy. The Present The Present is a gripping short film with a wonderful twist by Jacob Frey which deals with the themes of empathy, teenagers and disability. Soar Soar is a delightful short film by Alyce Tzue which can be used to get students to predict and write a narrative. I Forgot My Phone
Via A Man’s Journey - Visual English School - Learn English with Short Films A 22-year-old animator wants to tell the story of one man’s entire life. In only three minutes, by the way. It’s quite a challenging and unusual choice from such a young artist. Her name is Izzy Burton, and she works in an animation studio in London. She has the story in her mind but still needs some inspiration. So, she searches for poems on Google and comes across Rachel Cladingbowl’s poetry. I don’t want to reveal more about the story. Film Time The Meaning of Via We follow a man through different stages of his life: childhood, first love, fatherhood, and the inevitable last days. You must know that Via means road in Latin, and in the film, it refers to the tortuous path we all go along in life. What I loved most about this film is that you feel immersed in a dreamlike and forgotten place. Cycle of Life You might remember that the story starts with a boy appearing to his grandfather with a ball in his head. In fact, the film concludes with a positive note. Study Time
10 Modern-Day Heroes Actively Changing The World Miscellaneous As children we all had our favorite superheroes. We loved them, worshipped them, pretended to be them, dressed like them and even talked like them. Now that we’re adults, we are all too well aware that heroes are in high demand but can rarely be found. The overwhelming ugliness and depravity found everywhere in the world today, has desensitized us to the point where hardly anything seems shocking or repulsive anymore. Luckily we don’t need superpowers or a cape to make a difference in the world. The absence of clean water and its consequent illnesses kills more children every year than HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. Jorge Muñoz arrived in America as an illegal immigrant in the early ’80s. Aki Ra was a very young boy when he was chosen by the Khmer Rouge to become a child soldier. Pushpa Basnet was an undergraduate in Social Work when she had to visit a female prison in Kathmandu as part of a college assignment. Eugene & Minhee Cho Narayanan Krishnan India
Why Facebook Can Hurt You? - Visual English School - Learn English with Short Films Learn English with the fantastic short film, What’s on Your Mind? by Shaun Higton. Find out why Facebook can hurt you. The movie is about the contrast between our lives and what we post on Facebook. Facebook Can Hurt You Like it or not, you tend to compare your life with the lives of others. Let’s admit it! They’re spending their holidays in gorgeous places while you’re sitting at your desk at work.They’re having their birthday parties with hundreds of friends while you don’t even remember if you’ve celebrated yours or not.Pictures taken with lovely girlfriends/boyfriends make you face the truth that you’re still single.Beautiful family pics and adorable kids make you wonder when you’re going to settle down and have your babies. Is Everything That Perfect? We all share the best parts of our lives on Facebook. But come on, guys! It’s like a photo album where you want to conserve your best moments. Film Time. Watch What’s on Your Mind. What Is Scott’s Obsession? Study Time 1.
Tragic Consequences of Bullying in School Authorities say a planned massacre at a New Bedford, Mass., high school could have been another Columbine — or perhaps even worse — if police hadn't gotten wind of a group of students' alleged plot to detonate explosives, shoot classmates, and then kill themselves. The students have pleaded not guilty, but according to police reports, the five teens who allegedly planned the attack had complained of being picked on and called names. A note found by a janitor at the school spoke of "getting everyone back for calling us names and beating us with ugly sticks." The statement is reminiscent of the suicide note left by Eric Harris, one of the two attackers at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo: "Your children who have ridiculed me, who have chosen not to accept me, who have treated me like I am not worth their time, are dead." Experts say bullying is a serious and widespread problem that can lead to school shootings and suicide. Physical and Emotional Toll
Our Golden Scars - Visual English School - Learn English with Short Films Learn English with the beautiful Oscar-nominated short film: A Single Life, by Job, Joris & Marieke. It’s a funny and poignant story that will surprise you. What would you do if you could travel through time, backward and forward? Would you skip parts of your life? Of course, you wouldn’t. You’re also surrounded by mindfulness experts who keep telling you every day that you should focus your awareness on the present moment and fully enjoy it. You might even remember Mr. So, who on earth wants to skip parts of their lives? Not even the worst ones? Kintsugi and Our Golden Scars Have you heard about Kintsugi? “Kintsugi often makes the repaired piece even more beautiful than the original, revitalizing it with new life.”Source: Kintsugi: The Centuries-Old Art of Repairing Broken Pottery with Gold by My Modern Met Why am I talking about this? No, we cannot skip anything. We are full of golden scars. Film Time Composed by Job, under the moniker (nickname) Happy Camper, featuring Pien Feith.
Malala's Courage: Student Discussion Guide An assassination attempt was not enough to curtail the human-rights work of teenage activist Malala Yousafzai. In fact, her brush with death at the hands of the Taliban only served to strengthen her resolve and led to her recognition as a joint winner of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize. The 17-year-old Pakistani rose to prominence as a vocal advocate for girls’ right to education. The Taliban, which ardently disagrees with Yousafzai’s position, was fearful that her activism would inspire others to act. The group planned to silence the teen, and while she rode a school bus, a Taliban gunman shot her in the head. Yousafzai was flown to England, where she received emergency care and eventually recovered from her injuries. Her work, including her best-selling book I am Malala, landed her on the shortlist of Nobel candidates in 2013. Yousafzai is the youngest recipient of the prize since it was created in 1901, said an article in The New York Times. Grade Level: 8-12 Student Discussion Questions
He Named Me Malala Malala: There is a moment when you have to choose whether to be silent or to stand up. Presenters: Tonight Malala remains in intensive care. She was shot in the head for daring to suggest girls should go to school. Malala’s father: Me and my wife, we cried all the night. The doctors told me, she will survive but she may not be the same as she was. Malala: They shot me on the left side of my head. Malala’s younger brother: She’s still a little bit naughty, little bit … that much ... Presenter: Who would you have been if you were just an ordinary girl from the Swat Valley? Malala: I am still an ordinary girl but if I had an ordinary father and an ordinary mother then I would have two children now. Presenter: You've never felt angry? Malala: No! Man shaking hands with Malala: … very nice to see you! Malala: Nice to see you. Malala on television: A woman is more powerful than men! Malala: In this new school, it’s hard. Presenter: Do you think you could ever ask a boy out on a date?
Nelson Mandela: Champion of Freedom Video - Nelson Mandela You're almost done! You will soon receive an activation email. Once you click on the link, you will be added to our list. Oops, there's a problem. This email address has previously opted out from receiving any emails from HISTORY and/or A+E Networks. lesson plans with short videos CrowdWish Level: B2/Upper Intermediate and up Skills: Speaking, reading and listening Language: idioms (dream come true, like magic, step in the right direction etc) and wish (including wish + would) ELT Resourceful – Crowdwish The lesson is about a new online service, CrowdWish, which invites people to post their wishes on their website. You’ve got to have a dream Level: B1/Intermediate and up Skills: Speaking and writing Language: reason and result linkers, adjectives of personality A free downloadable lesson, based around a Russian advertising video for shampoo. ELT Resourceful – You’ve got to have a dream Orangutan asks for help in sign language Skills: speaking and listening Language: environment vocabulary (e.g. deforestation, consumers, sustainable) ELT Resourceful – Orangutan asks for help in sign language The lesson starts with an activity to find out what students know about orangutans. Gratitude Skills: Reading, speaking, listening and writing ELT Resourceful-Gratitude A good deed To R.P.