Music, Movies and More

Music, Movies & More Making English Fun By: Gator J

Introduction	Teacher's Corner	Dictionaries
Music	Television & Screen	More

Introduction

     This page was developed for the English Language Institute at the University of Florida by James May. It was developed as part of a semester project for TSL 6372 TESL II: Developing ESP Materials taught by Dr Thompson in the spring of 1999.
     This page was created for teachers and students interested in studying English and having a good time while doing it. This site uses Music, Television, Film, Art and other American Pop Culture genres to teach and study English. Teachers interested in using this page to create a class, that need help with lesson plan ideas, should go to the Teacher's Corner. Teachers and students just looking to read or gather information on the listed topics should go back to the top of this page. The Clickable Table at the top of the page will take you to various links for learning. All of the links have a description to help you find what you are looking for. Students having a difficult time understanding words should check out the Online Resource Center. Back to top

Teacher's Corner *Note to Students*      If you are having trouble understanding any of the Vocabulary on this page, Click Here to learn how to open up an online interactive dictionary. *Note to Teachers*      Although the Internet contains many downloadable Sound Waves and Video Clips it is mainly a source for written materials. Some times it is not practical to have a group of students around a limited number of computers.   I recommend using the links in this web page to find out information about a the topic you are interested in, Getting lesson plans, and printing off written text for your classes to use. You can combine written text found on the net with music and movies played in class. Use this page as a resource.

EFL Teachers CO-OP is an On-line Resource Center. Teachers interested in reading articles about theory, teaching, teaching aids, materials and Administration this is the site for you. This site also contains links to teaching Culture.

Conversation (Galina Ishkova) can be a great way to practice English. This link will take you to a lesson plan that will show you how to take an episode of any popular comedy show and use a conversation between two (or more) characters for language learning.

Renting movies (Dave Jemison) is a fun way to help study English. This lesson plan gives ideas on how to use video and closed caption. This plan also takes advantage of foreign movies and the subtitles that can be found in many dubbed movies.

Soap Operas (Heinrich H. Beck, Jr.) may be better than other shows according to this teacher's lesson plan. This teacher believes that the joke-a-minute dialog quickly loses the Hi-beginner and intermediates and recommends ways for using Soap Operas for learning English.

Close Caption Video (Cathy Walton) is used as a tool by this teacher's lesson plan. If you are interested in using video and reading while teaching English to your students this may be the lesson plan for you. This plan is easy to understand and it makes class fun.

Reading and Writing (Allison) are the two easiest activities to do with information from the internet. If you are interested in helping your advanced reading students prepare for exams this lesson plan may be for you.

Cartoons Can be fun (Lauri Shaffer). Chinese students loved learning the sentences corresponding to cartoon pictures and ending with a cute punch line. They practiced their sentences over and over till they could tell others their joke.

Gary Larsen Cartoons (Alison) can be a good way to get the students to explain something. I ask them to explain what the cartoon means and why they think it is funny. There are many simple cartoons to choose from, some don't even require any reading.

Using Journal Assignments (Terri Meckes). Every week this teacher has their students write a 1 or 2 page journal assignment, usually on a relevant topic for the date. If you are interested in using the net and journal assignments check out this site.

Script Writing (Cliff Pfeil). If you are interested in using plays, or having your students create plays to practice English, you may find this site of interest. This lesson plan uses acting and writing to practice all of the skills needed for studying english.

Television Commercials (Trina Bega). If you are interested in having your students create television commercials then this might be the site for you. This lesson plan has your students create a product, name it, and decide on dialogue for each member of the group.

Use Advertising to teach English (Margaret Ann Whitt). If you are interested in using TV, Radio, or Magazines and having your students read, write and create this lesson plan may be for you. This can also be used to introduce thematic vocabulary.

Creating Television Commercials (Trina Bega) can be a fun and interesting way to teach your students English. This lesson plan shows how to take advantage of Multicultural groups and listening/speaking exercises while teaching English and having fun.

Play them a Song (Mauricio Vizca’no). This lesson uses music and the power of suggestion to help teach students english. If you are interested in employing your student's imaginations this may be the lesson plan for you.

Music Lyrics. Don't spend hours listening to songs, writing out the words, and then typing them. Go to the site with literally over 100,000 songs and their lyrics. If you're teaching a song, there's a good chance it's at this site.

Cloze Songs (Ian). This lesson plan shows you how to create Cloze songs for various ability levels. You can use music video or just songs on the radio to create Cloze passages that are fun and educational for you students. If you are having trouble with lyrics check out the Music Lyrics link above.

Transcribing lyrics (Sean M. Burke). This is a lesson plan idea for more advanced students, it is a little difficult. But if you enjoy learning the words to songs, than this might be a great way for you to practice your english listening skills.

Songs in the classroom? (Gabriel D’az Maggioli) This teacher has seen lots of colleagues interested in using songs in the classroom, and has been doing so for many years. This link includes a few ideas to share as an alternative to the "good old fill-in-the-blanks" type of exercise.

Song Lyrics (Prentice). This teacher's lesson plan uses song lyrics and a computer. If you are interested in rewriting song lyrics or having your students rewrite the words to song lyrics this lesson plan may be for you. If you can get your student to change the words and fill them in with thematic vocabulary it might be even better.

Music Video (Nstor Corts) is another great tool for teaching English. This teacher's lesson plan shows different types of music to students. Using video can help teachers take advantage of various learning traits while making class more interesting for their students. Back to top

Dictionaries *Note to Students*      Students interested in opening an online dictionary should follow these directions. These Directions will work if you are using either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.
1. Choose one of the three online dictionaries below. (Read the description to find the dictionary you want to use).
2. Click once, using the left mouse button, on the word "File at the top left side of your screen (A drop down box should appear).
3. Place the mouse pointer on the word "New" (Another drop down box should open).
4. Use the pointer to click where it says "Open Window", "Navigator Window", "New Window"or "Ctrl N" (a new window should open)
5. Now enter the URL of the dictionary you wish to use, or enter the URL for my web page and then click on that dictionary link.
6. You should now have two windows open. switch between the windows when you need to look up a word.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Having trouble understanding words? Use this Online dictionary to help you figure them out. This is a dictionary that you don't have to carry around or flip through pages to get to what you are looking for just type in the word and see what it means. You can also take advantage of their thesaurus.

Newbury House Online Dictionary. This online dictionary provides simple and clear definitions, and as an online tool provides a wealth of sample sentences, idioms, and a wide array of cultural facts and figures. It is also linked to a 50,000 photo database.

This Dictionary allows you to translate words from English into more than 20 different languages. If you are having a difficult time looking up words in the other two dictionaries this may be the one for you. Back to top

Music *Note to Students*      If you are having trouble understanding any of the Vocabulary on this page, Click Here to learn how to open up an online interactive dictionary.

Music Television is great for teachers and students who are interested in teaching or learning English through music. M tv's web site provides all kinds of information on current music trends. As well as information about programming and music videos.

Video Hits 1 is more of an easy listening music channel. They too offer all kinds of information about music and artists. Their web site can be used to find information about programing, videos, rock documentaries and much more.

Country Music Television is basically the same as Mtv and VH1, but it contains Country music programing. Country music can be good for begging learners of English because it is slower than Rap and Rock. If you are interested in using Country music to learn or teach English this is the site for you.

Music Music Music. This site contains Music Magazines, Music and Arts Education, Music Libraries and Archives, and more. If you are interested in using Opera, Orchestra, Rock, Jazz and Pop this may be the site for you. Back to top

Television & Screen *Note to Students*      If you are having trouble understanding any of the Vocabulary on this page, Click Here to learn how to open up an online interactive dictionary.

TV Guide is a listing of everything on Television. This web site can be used to find any information about any television program or movie; Show times, Story line, Actors etc. All of the following channels that I have listed here can be found in TV Guide.

The Internet Movie Database contains everything you have ever wanted to know about the movie industry. If you are interested in reading about Movies and Actors this site has what you are looking for. All you have to do is type the name of a Movie or a Star and the database will give you all of the information you need. This is a great sight if you are interested in studying film or film stars for learning English.

E Online is the ultimate in US pop culture. If you are interested in reading about the latest movies or television programming, gossip about american celebrities, or just the latest popular clothing trends this link is for you. This is a great site for learning or teaching English while studying american Pop culture.

Comedy Central is a very popular channel with American youth. Comedy Central's Web Site contains fun games and reading materials as well as information about current and upcoming television programs. If you are interested in using comedy as a means of teaching or studying English this site is for you.

The History Channel is a good channel if you are interested in history and facts. Their web site provides all kinds of historical facts and information as well as information about programs and show times. If you are interested in historical content based ESL learning or instruction you may find that this is the site for you.

The Discovery Channel can help students discover their universe while studying English as a second or foreign language. This site offers interesting facts about animals and wildlife. It also gives information on upcoming programs on the Discovery Channel. If you are interested in teaching content based ESL classes in science this site may be for you.

CNN is 24 hour news broadcast center. If you are interested in using the news, or information from the news in your classroom, then this is the link for you. This site can be used to find good reading materials on current American or World news issues.

The Disney Channel is great for young language learners. Disney's web site contains links to their Playhouse, Cartoons, Zoog Disney and much more. This site will definitely peak the interests of younger viewers. Teachers and students interested in Disney movies and programing should check out this link.

The Science Fiction (Sci-fi) Channel offers various science fiction programing. From the original Star Trek to Babylon 5, this channel shows all Sci-fi all of the time. If you are interested in using Science Fiction to peak the interests of your students this site offers all kinds of information and reading materials about various Sci-fi programing.

If Science Fiction Pop Culture sites are what you or your students are interested in then this might be the site for you. This site is a link page that displays links to all kinds of web pages about Sci-fi television and movie programing. If you are interested in space shows like Star Trek, Star Wars, Babylon 5 then this is the site for you.

PBS Online has it all. This link contains a teacher source, an adult learning link, a kids link and much more. You can read about news and views, History, Science, Technology and much more. If you are interested in Using any of these topics while studying or teaching English as a second language you may want to try this site.

NBC. If you are interested in using Situation comedies like Fraser, Friends, Jesse; Soap operas like General Hospital, and other broadcasting like the Tonight Show; then this may be the link for you. Check this site for special areas for children, show listings, inside information about popular shows and much more. Search this sites to find your favorite shows.

ABC. If you are interested in using Situation comedies like Dharma and Greg, Drew Carry, and the Norm show; Soap operas like All My Children, and other broadcasting like the 20/20; then this may be the link for you. Check this site for special areas for children, show listings, inside information about popular shows and much more. Search this sites to find your favorite shows.

CBS. If you are interested in using Situation comedies like Candid Camera, Cosby and The Nanny; Soap operas like As the World Turns, and other broadcasting like the David Letterman; then this may be the link for you. Check this site for special areas for children, show listings, inside information about popular shows and much more. Search this sites to find your favorite shows.

FOX. If you are interested in using Situation comedies like the Simpsons; Shows like Beverly Hills 90210 or Xfiles, and other broadcasting then this may be the link for you. Check this site for special areas for children, show listings, inside information about popular shows and much more. Search this sites to find your favorite shows.
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More *Note to Students*      If you are having trouble understanding any of the Vocabulary on this page, Click Here to learn how to open up an online interactive dictionary.

Alt.Culture is the site for you if you are interested in an encyclopedia of popular culture billed as "an A-Z of the 90s." This Database is searchable by concept or keyword. Some of the stuff found in this database may be considered a bit strange by some, so be aware.

Welcome to the USA, might be the site for you if you are interested in teaching or studying english by reading various articles about American culture from clipping coupons to body piercing. This site contains information that might be considered strange by some, so be aware.

This guide to on-line popular culture resources was designed as part of the course American Studies 471, "American Popular Culture" taught at Washington State University by T.V. Reed, and is now also part of the Web projects of the American Studies program at WSU.

The Learning Page of the Library of Congress gives Lesson Ideas and offer strategies and examples developed by education professionals to help integrate primary sources, especially those in the American Memory collections, into the classroom.

Pop Art can be a fun and interesting way of teaching english. Teachers that are interested in using contemporary artists of all kinds or Pop culture art or pictures may find that this is the site for them. Great source for conversation pieces.

The Comics Page. Are comics really online? yes they are! This site allows you to customize your own favorite comics to make your own comics page. Teachers use this page to create comics for your students to read. Back to Top

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Last Revised: 7 Apr 99