An American Carol: In Case x In Case of

This a totally politically incorrect movie, full of misconceived stereotypes about the Arab world. Be selective when you use the segment, especially if you have students from Arab countries. It is a funny scene though. I used it to practice the use of In Case (of) in a contextualized manner.

A. Watch the movie segment and then read the sentences below. Then complete the blanks with IN CASE or IN CASE OF.

1. Ahman said they need a guest work program _____ the Taliban don't do their job.

Ahman said they need a guest work program _____ the Taliban's desistance.

2. They believe they need a new recruitment video ____ suicide bombers stop volunteering.

They believe they need a new recruitment video _____ lack of volunteers.

3. Ahmed is usually punctual ________ something delays him.

Ahmed is usually punctual ________ delays

4. Ahmed double checks his the address of the site ________ mistakes.

Ahmed double checks his address ________ there is a mistake.

5. Ahmed wears properly, wearing clothing that is loose enough to hide his explosives _______ someone becomes suspicious of the bomb.

He wears loose clothing _______ suspicion.

B. Talk to a partner:

1. How do you describe the stereotyped characters shown in the segment?

2. Is it fair to picture Arabs this way? Why (not)?

3. How would you describe the stereotypes of the people where you live?

4. Why were the characters shown the way they were in the segment?

5. How do you think your country is stereotyped by foreigners?

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MOVIE SEGMENT - AN AMERICAN CAROL

Answer Key:

A.

1. In case / in case of

2. In case / in case of

3. In case / in case of

4. In case of / In case

5. In case / In case of

A Bug's Life: Pre-Determiners - Such, What

This is such an interesting animation. I used this scene to teach pre-determiners - such and what. My lesson was contextualized and fun.


Introduction:

PRE-DETERMINERS: SUCH, WHAT

These words are normally placed before the indefinite article.

Such and what are often used to express surprise or other emotions:

Examples:

a. What a lovely day!

b. She's such a lovely woman!

c. What an incredible film!

d. He's such a fantastic guitarist!

I. Watch the movie segment and choose one of the adjectives provided to complete the sentences, according to the movie. Then rewrite the sentences, using the pre-determiner in parentheses and the adjective you have chosen. Follow the examples in the introduction.

1. Ants are very (organized/intelligent/agile) insects.

(such) ................................................................

2. The pile of food is (huge/amazing/impressive).

(what) .................................................................

3. The anthill is (awesome/complicated/interesting).

(such) ...................................................................

4. The grasshoppers are (terrifying/scary/aggressive) insects.

(what) ...................................................................

5. Flik is a (clumsy/stupid/ridiculous) ant.

(such) ....................................................................

6. Princess Atta is a (beautiful/ugly/nice) ant.

(what) ................................................................


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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - A BUG'S LIFE

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answer key:

possible answers

1. ants are such organized insects

2. what a huge pile of fod

3. it’s such a complicated anthill

4. what terrifying insects

5. flink is such a clumsy ant

6. what a beautiful ant

Kick-Ass: Story Writing - Narratives

This film has some scenes which show violence, and I would never recommend them for the EFL/ESL classes. This scene, though, does not, and it is great for story telling/ narrative writing. In fact, it is a very attractive segment. Make sure your audience consists of adults.

I. Watch the movie segments with sounds off. Pay attention to the strips so you can come up with the story itself. If necessary, watch it twice with sounds off.

II. Work in pairs. Write down a story for the strips. Use your imagination and be creative.

III. Read your stories out loud.

IV. Watch the segments with sounds on now. Compare your stories. Which group wrote the closest ideas to what was shown in the segment.

V. Role play the story.

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - KICK ASS

THERE IS NOT A WORKSHEET FOR THIS ACTIVITY BECAUSE IT IS NOT NECESSARY

Rise of the Planet of the Apes: As x Like

This movie is wonderful. The idea is so original that it makes you wonder how life would be if it were true. I used this amazing scene to contrast the use of like and as, a very barren grammar point that becomes more interesting with the use of a movie segment to entice the students.








Talk to a partner. Decide if you agree with these statements about animal testing. Justify your answers:

"Animals are here for humans to use. If we have to sacrifice 1,000 or 100,000 animals in the hope of benefiting one child, it's worth it."

"Science has a responsibility to use animals to keep looking for cures for all the horrible diseases that people suffer from."


"If we didn't use animals, we'd have to test new drugs on people."


"If people will benefit from the experiments, it is not relevant whether the animals suffer or not."


I. Watch the segment and complete the blanks with LIKE or AS.







1. ___________ we know, animal testing is controversial.

2. The chimp is _________ a friend to the doctor.

3. She is as smart _____________ a human being.

4. __________ expected, she was unable to complete the puzzle at first, before taking the new drug.

5. She behaved _______________ if he were completely out of control.

6. She is agile, ___________ most monkeys.

7. The doctor works ___________ a genetic engineer, researching the cure of Alzheimer.

8. ___________ a doctor, he suggested that more money be invested in therapies to treat brain disorders.



Answer key:

1. as 2. like 3. as 4. as 5. as 6. like 7. as 8. as



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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES