Sandra Sandra

Writing a film review
Intermediate level

Description

In this lesson, SS will read a film review and analyze its structure, audience, and connotation. After SS have analyzed the language in the model review, SS will choose a movie and write a review themselves. In the last stage, SS will have the opportunity to read each other's reviews and rate them.

Materials

Abc Language Analysis Sheet
Abc Film Review Templates
Abc Slide with questions - OHP
Abc Reviews
Abc Pictures of movies

Main Aims

  • To provide detailed and deduction reading practice using a film review

Subsidiary Aims

  • To provide writing practice of a film review and free speaking practice discussing opinions about films

Procedure

Warmer/Lead-in (3-6 minutes) • To set lesson context and engage students

Show trailer of the film 'Titanic' "A couple of lessons ago we talked about movies and different types of movies" "Who can tell me what genre this film is?" "Is it based on a true event or is it fictional?" "How would you describe this movie? Give me some adjectives."

Exposure and analysis of structure (12-15 minutes) • To provide a model of production expected in coming tasks through reading tasks

Divide SS into groups of 3 or 4 around one table. Hand out the film reviews (three kinds). Ask SS to read their review quickly. Give them 1 min. Then, display questions to identify content/structure on the OHP. Ask SS to answer these questions in their groups. 1. What is the first sentence about? Brief description/type of movie. 2. What is the rest of the paragraph about? Description of the movie/what it is about. 3. What is the second paragraph about? Opinion. 4. What is the last sentence about? Recommendation. Hand out Language Analysis sheets. Have each SS complete a sheet but allow SS to help each other. After SS have finished, have them compare their answers with the other people in their group and add extra information to their sheets because they may need it for writing their own review. Monitor and see if groups need help.

Productive Task(s) (10-15 minutes) • To provide an opportunity to practice target language structures

"We have looked at a couple of different examples of reviews, and so now we are going to write our own review". Ask SS to pick their favorite film. Tell SS that through their review they have to convince the class on that their movie should be very next movie they're going to watch. T will also have pictures of different movies where SS can choose from (for those who prefer that over choosing their own movie). Handout templates. Instructions: "Look at the example reviews and at your language sheet and chose what you're going to include or not, or maybe you'd like to add something else. Make it convincing but realistic". Give SS 10 minutes. Ask SS to put/stick their reviews around the classroom.

Freer speaking practice and feedback (12-15 minutes) • To provide freer speaking practice and feedback on students' production and use of language

Ask SS to get up and read each other's reviews. Give them 5 minutes to do so. Ask SS to go back to their groups. Tell SS that they have tickets to go and watch one movie. As a group they have to decide and agree on which movie that will be. Give them 5 minutes to discuss their opinions. Feedback: ask groups which movie they chose and why. Roundup. Feedback. Goodbye!

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