In our globalised world languages are essential for improving communication and international understanding, yet motivating young people to learn them can be difficult. Teaching a modern language is about far more than vocabulary and grammar – pupils need to hear it spoken in real-life situations and be exposed to the culture. Watching a foreign language film in the relaxed atmosphere of a school film club (so it doesn’t feel like hard work!) is a great way to achieve this.
The education charity FILMCLUB has 722 foreign language films in 69 different tongues in its catalogue – many of which students would never otherwise have access to – available to members free via filmclub.org, with delivery direct to schools by partner, LOVEFILM. “Since joining I have at my disposal a much more diverse and vast selection of films. It’s a perfect way to learn a foreign language in context and be exposed to real life conversation and new day-to-day phrases and vocabulary; the movies are a great listening tool that increases students’ ability to cope with different accents and helps them prepare for their AS exam,“ says club leader Gil Pocas. As films often focus on different social and political aspects they also provide a diverse cultural experience.
FILMCLUB Recommends…
In the mood for love (pg)
Love film set in the Shanghai community of Hong Kong about a man and woman married to other people and living in the same apartment building. In Cantonese, with English subtitles.
Discussion points:
1. Describe the lives of the two main characters Chow and Su, in 1960s Hong Kong.
2. How would you describe the music and set design? What kind of atmosphere do they create?
3. In the Mood for Love is widely regarded by critics as one of the best films ever made. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Review starter
“Hong Kong film In the Mood for Love shows that atmosphere can be just as important as story in helping us get a sense of the characters’ feelings…”
La haine (15)
Fast, frantic film about three friends from the ghettos of the Paris suburbs, where life is portrayed as being violent and unjust. In French with English subtitles.
Discussion points:
1. The central character of a film is often the hero. Do you see Vinz as a hero?
2. Have you seen any other French films? In what ways were they different or similar to this one?
3. Much of the French we hear in the film is banlieue French – spoken in the slums in the Paris outskirts. What information do accents give us about people? Is this always accurate?
Review starter
“La Haine offers a raw, intense picture of life in Paris for its young protagonists…”
Where do we go now? (12)
Fed-up women go to entertainingly extreme lengths to prevent religious violence reigniting in their remote Middle Eastern village in this witty and heartfelt satire on the absurdity of war. In Arabic, Russian and English, with English subtitles.
Discussion points:
1. Why do the women of the village decide to take action?
2. Do you think revenge is always a bad idea? Why or why not?
3. Did you find the film funny? Do you think comedy is appropriate when dealing with serious topics?
Review starter
“Comic moments come together with a serious anti-war message in this Arabic-language film…”
Take it further
FILMCLUB is free to all state schools and signing up is easy. Membership benefits include access to thousands of films, downloadable educational resources, live webcasts with creative professionals, a chance to receive training as a young reporter, reviewer or programmer – and much more! Visit filmclub.org, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 0207 288 4520
