Connecting places

 

Language level: Intermediate (B2) - Advanced (C1-C2)

Learner type: Teens and adults

Time: 110 minutes

Topic: Locations and Cultures

Skills: Listening, speaking and writing

Materials: Love Sarah. Official UK trailer, THE LONDON GUIDE | Notting Hill.

Steps:

• Step 1: ask your students to watch the trailer and think of the following questions:

• What kind of film is it?

• Where is the film set?

• Can you imagine the plot?

• Step 2: finding out more about Notting Hill. Let's start knowing the place where this film was set, a little bit better. Ask your students to watch the episode about Notting Hill from the London Guide and write four new things they have learned about this quarter in London.

• Step 3: watch the episode as many times as necessary and ask your students to think and answer these questions:

• Do you know any other places that remind you of Notting Hill? 

• Why do you think they are similar? 

• Can you think of locations near you where films have been set? Why were the locations chosen by the film crew?

• Step 4: next, ask your students to plan a paragraph about a location nearby where a film has been set. Explain the features of the location, what film was set there, when it was made, who played in it, the reasons for the choice of location, and so forth. Talk about the location too and if you'd recommend it to visitors and to other film directors. Back up your answers.

• Step 5: Finally, when their draft is ready, ask them to record a video clip with their outcome. You may have to set up recording devices and/or digital sites for your students to record and share, such as FlipGrid, WeVideo, Loom or any others you usually use.

Film Critics

 

Language level: Advanced (C1-C2)

Learner type: Teens and adults

Time: 120 minutes

Topic: Reviewing a film

Skills: Reading, speaking and writing

Materials: Love Sarah (the film), How to write a film review, Film Review: an example.

Steps:

• Step 1: Watch the film in class.

• Step 2: Ask your students to write a review of the film. They should make sure they include at least the key facts below:

• Location it is set in

• Main characters and who plays them

• What the film is about

• Most memorable scene

• What makes the film so powerful, dramatic, successful ...

• Any other relevant information

You can help them with the assignment by providing them with some inspirational tips:

How to write a film review

A real example of the film review. You may also take advantage of the article to do some reading comprehension with your students.

• Step 3: Next, ask them to turn a bit more creative and present the class with another film review, this time about a film of their choice. This time, instead of writing it, they record it and so you gather a shared podcast with lots of episodes about various films. 

First set up a podcasting group and invite your students to join, e.g. at SoundCloud, Ivoox, Flipgrid (videocast), or any others you know. Disseminate the outcomes.

Story and characters

Language level: Intermediate (B1) – Advanced (C1-C2)

Learner type: Teens and adults

Time: 120 minutes aprox.

Topic: Relationships and storytelling

Skills: Listening, speaking and writing

Materials: Official UK Trailer 

Steps:

• Step 1: Give your students the following questions and watch the film trailer:

• Who are the women in the film?

• What relationships do you think they have?

• What role might the men in the film play?

• Would you like to learn more about the film now that you have watched the trailer?

Ask your students to share their answers with the rest of the class. Elicit answers and foster conversation.

• Step 2: Now it is your students' turn to create their own story about the characters in the film.

• Step 3: Then watch the film and compare their stories with the story they see in the film.