business documentaries/reality tv in the classroom barry hawthorne eltaf members‘ day 28 september...
TRANSCRIPT
Business Documentaries/Reality TV
in the ClassroomBarry Hawthorne
Eltaf Members‘ Day28 September 2013
Comprehension (Confessions of a Superhero) Warmers (Freakonomics/Life in a Day) Case Study (Theo’s Adventure Capitalists) Grammar (Around the World/Salesman) Vocabulary (The Best Movie Ever Made,
Around the World, The Queen of Versailles) Discussions & Debating (Capitalism) Concepts (Dragons‘ Den)
Content
1. They are usually about one main topic2. The structure of documentaries: intro; middle; end3. Provides a good mix of scripted and non-scripted
language4. Exposes students to authentic accents and real
English (native as well as non-native) 5. Introduces students to cultural aspect of language6. Versatile and adaptable7. The power of documentaries: stimulating and
motivating
Why Use Documentaries?
Topic: Human resources/careersTime: 15 minsObjective: To understand what each of the characters think about their job/careerMethod: Simple comprehension questionsMaterial: ML (Upper Int.)(3rd Ed) Unit 5: Job Satisfaction; ML (Int.)(3rd Ed) Unit 8: Human ResourcesTime: 2:20 – 6:35
Confessions of a Superhero
Topic: Economic value of a name/Capitalism/WTOTime: 10minsObjective: To introduce the topic/warmerMethod: Play the first 4/5 mins and then discuss. ‘Is there (any) economic value to your name?’ (Freakonomics)‘Is the world economic system inherently unfair?’ (Life)Book: Speak Out (Adv.) – Unit 1: OriginsTime: 05:45 – 11:00
Freakonomics/Life in a Day
Topic: Marketing/Advertising/SalesTime: 45 minsObjective: To sell/market a product to a market which will probably hate it.Method: Watch documentary for 6 mins. Stop. Students discuss possible was of marketing Marmite to the Indian market. Feedback. Play conclusion. Time: 07:51 – 29:50
Theo‘s Adventure Capitalists
Topic: Past Perfect/Negotiating/BrandsTime: 30 minsObjective: To visualize the concept of time (in English) and the connection between the past simple and perfectMethod: Using the boards as a visualization toolBook: ML (Int.) 3rd ed. Unit 1: BrandsTime: 7:56 – 15:00
Around the World in 80 Trades
Topic: Vague language/Wealthy idiotsTime: 20 minsObjective: Listening for detail inadvertentlyMethod: Play and then introduce language on the board by asking questionsBook: English Vocab in Use (Adv) – Unit 87: Vague LanguageTime: 6:44 – 16:04
The Queen of Versailles
Topic: Insurance/EthicsTime: 40 minsObjective: Introduce/practice critical thinkingMethod: Pre–teach some vocabulary (10 words/phrases)Explain the concept of being a ‘devil‘s advocate‘. Hand out
cards randomly with ‘ Devil‘ or ‘ Advocate‘ on them.Watch the DVD.In pairs one student volunteers to be the devil‘s advocate
and argues against the other person.Book: ML (Int.) (3rd Ed) Unit 10: EthicsTime: 39:30 – 45:00
Capitalism: A Love Story, etc.
Topic: Brand integration/Co-promotion/Pitching a productTime: 10 - 30 minsObjective: Review types of advertisingMethod: After dealing with vocab, play the DVD and ask the students to name as many advertising techniques that they are bombarded with.Book: ML (Int.) (3rd Ed) Unit 5: AdvertisingTime: Start – 4:00/38:06 – 42:00
The Best Movie Ever Sold
Topic: Pitching a productTime: 25 minsObjective: To review the 4PsMethod: Ask the students to identify the 4PS (product/price/place/promotion)Book: Business Vocab in Use (2nd Ed.) – Unit 21: Marketing and market orientation
Dragons‘ Den
1. Look for repetition (grammatical & lexical patterns)
2. Three stages: pre-watching/watching/after watching
3. Look/listen for mistakes in the (spoken) text4. Use the subtitles for teaching lexical structures,
grammar and function (freeze frame)5. Find an appropriate text and type it out (fill-in-
the-blanks)
Creating your own materials