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Learn it your way
A short class with Sarah and her students. The other ways are under More.
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Why do you think we watch the film the first time without subtitles?
So we follow the story through the pictures and voices instead of reading.
Exactly, that is a gist viewing. What should you note?
Who the characters are, where it happens and the main events.
And on the second viewing?
We switch on subtitles in the target language to check details and collect phrases.
Good. Avoid subtitles in your own language, because they turn a listening task into a reading task.
Here are some notes: a girl loses her dog, she searches the market, an old man helps her, and the dog is found at the bakery. How do we turn them into a summary?
Use the present tense and sequence words: first, then, after that, finally.
Which sequence words would you use in French?
D'abord, ensuite, puis, enfin.
Should we say whether we liked the film?
Not in the summary. Opinions belong in the review.
For your final piece you choose a review or an alternative ending. What makes a good review?
A short summary without spoilers, comments on the story, acting and music, and a clear recommendation.
And a good alternative ending?
It starts from a turning point, keeps the characters believable and still fits the theme of the film.
Excellent. Whichever you choose, you will present it to the class, so practise saying it aloud.
watch first for the gist, then for detail, then for key scenes.
they connect sounds and spelling and keep the task about the language you are learning.
short, in the present tense, main events only, with sequence words and no opinions.
every character trait is supported by dialogue, actions or film techniques.
a spoiler-free review with a recommendation, or a credible alternative ending that fits the film's themes.
you discuss the film and present your final piece aloud.
Watching a Spanish-dubbed scene from Coco, a student might note that Miguel's grandmother reacts angrily to his love of music and destroys his guitar, as evidence that his family forbids music.
A summary might begin "Primero, la chica pierde el autobús" (First, the girl misses the bus), then continue with luego and al final.
A review might end with a sentence such as "I recommend this film to anyone who enjoys stories about friendship", followed by a rating out of five.
An alternative ending might change one decision at the climax, such as a character choosing to tell the truth, and show the new consequences.
Watch for the gist, then watch for the word; summarise, analyse, and make your voice heard.
Omar watched a short French film three times. The first time he understood only that a boy was lost; the second time, with French subtitles, he caught the phrases the boy used to ask for help; the third time he noticed the music changing when the boy felt afraid. By the end he had a summary, a character analysis and a new ending.
Gist, Detail, Evidence: the three viewings, in order.
F.I.L.M. - First watch for the gist, Inspect key scenes, Log vocabulary and evidence, Make your review or new ending.
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What is the purpose of the first viewing?
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Which subtitles should you use on the second viewing?
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Which tense is normally used in a plot summary?
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What does a good review include?
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What makes an alternative ending credible?
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The general meaning of a text or film, without every detail.
Words shown on screen that give the dialogue in writing.
A short account of the main events of a story, in order and without opinion.
An explanation of a character's traits and changes, supported by evidence.
A detail from the film, such as a line of dialogue, an action or a camera shot, that supports a point.
A piece of writing that evaluates a film and recommends it or not.
Information that reveals an important plot twist or the ending.
A camera shot that shows a face or object in detail, often to reveal emotion.
This lesson describes the Language Through Film task step by step: choosing a short film or episode in the target language, watching it in stages, summarising the plot, analysing a character, and writing either a review or an alternative ending.
In Language Through Film you watch a short film or a single episode in your target language and use it to build listening, vocabulary and analytical writing. This lesson explains the whole process: how to choose a suitable film, why you watch it in three stages (for the gist, for detail, then key scenes), how to take notes on characters, events and film techniques, how to write a plot summary and a character analysis, and how to turn your work into a review or an alternative ending that you also present to the class.
The task in one sentence Watch a short film or a single episode in your target language, summarise its plot, analyse its characters, and then write either a review or an alternative ending.
Choosing the film Pick something short, such as a short film or one episode of a series, so that you can watch it several times. It should be in the target language, suitable for your age and approved by your teacher. Target-language subtitles are a big help.
Watching in three stages
Taking notes Use a grid with five headings: characters (traits and evidence), setting, main events in order, useful vocabulary and expressions, and film techniques such as music, lighting and close-ups, with what each suggests.
Writing the plot summary A summary is short, written in the present tense and limited to the main events, without opinions. Sequence words keep it clear: in Spanish "primero, luego, después, al final"; in French "d'abord, ensuite, puis, enfin".
Analysing a character Choose one character. Describe their traits with precise adjectives, support each trait with evidence from what they say and do and how the camera presents them, and explain how they change during the film.
The final piece: choose one
Speaking about the film You will also discuss the film in class and present your review or perform your ending, so your listening, speaking and writing all play a part, as the Assessment Criteria lesson explains.
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