In addition to Flash Cards, video is another form of visual input, one of the brain's favorite ways to learn!
For example, when was the last time you forgot how a certain movie ended? Were you taking notes while watching the film? No! But wouldn't you agree that we generally tend to remember things we've seen or watched on TV, without even having to try!
How can you as a language learner put this to use in your language studies?
Use Live & Learn Language DVD Guides!
As promised, we are happy to release our first Ebook series, as of now! This will be of interest to Language Arts Teachers and students alike! They are DVD guides, designed to convert the most difficult languages to learn into the most easiest languages to learn, using specific films on DVD.
We have researched which films in English are widely available to buy with multi-language dubbing and subtitle options, so that, along with our tailor made DVD guides, you can use these DVDs and their language features to learn almost any language!
Starting February the 21st, and each weekend since then, we have revealed a unique 50% discount voucher/coupon code for each one of our 10 DVD guides, which were promised to be released April 30th!
Hopefully you've been among the ones collecting the voucher codes, so you can get the most out of this new language learning tool! Even if you haven't, don't worry, they are very affordable!
Here is a preview of what each DVD guide generally contains, within the average 12-15 pages:
Table of Contents
Introduction
Why use DVD's to learn and teach languages?
Where can you find DVD's with different language options?
LLL Disclaimer
Instructions on use of the DVD guide and exercises
Movie Vocabulary
Language Learning Activities:
First Things First: Sound Only, Guess What's Next
Been There, Scene It: Sound Off, Freeze Frame, Monologs, Dialogues for 2
Language Learning Activities by chronological order/running time in the film
Bonus material (for teachers of English): Idiomatic Expressions
...And here are the long awaited DVD guides, ready for instant download thanks to E-junkie and Paypal! Click on the Add-to-cart button if you want a DVD guide, and use the Buy and Rent buttons to search for a DVD with the language options that are best for you, as well as the right region DVD!
Croation, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Traditional Chinese
Truman Show 1998 Rating:PG
French, Italian, Japanese, Spanish
Croation, English, French, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Thai, Traditional Chinese
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Read on for some more ideas on usage of the methodology!
Using Video to Create Language
Not only can visual media be used to learn a language - in some cases, it can even allow you to create language.
How? For example, you could use a SILENT film like Charlie Chaplin or Mr. Bean, to watch and pause, and then use your new language to describe what is happening or what the character is doing. This method can be applied no matter what your language level and is especially effective in a classroom environment. You can say "Mr. Bean is walking" (simple) or "Mr. Bean is walking worriedly to get to the store before it closes". This is a great way to learn to think in your new language. By all means use your dictionary if you don't know a certain word. The different scenarios that Mr. Bean and Charlie find themselves in will no doubt help to improve your vocabulary!
Try it with the following clips...
Using Video for Language Repetition
Another way that visual media (foreign language films) can be used is to repeat what the characters in a movie say. Pause the player after a sentence and try to repeat, with the same accent and inflections (for example if they're angry then you should say it angrily too).
You could very effectively use the language options on a DVD to turn a simple English language DVD into a multi-faceted language learning device. With audio options and subtitles, there is great flexibility for training the ear and the eye to pick up on and practice the new language.
Check out our Wikihow article below for some more detailed tips and suggested activities that get that different parts of the brain involved.
We remember images from movies we saw 10 years ago without ever thinking we'd have to remember it, or trying to remember it. For example what movie shows a couple standing on the front edge of a boat with their arms extended, the sun going down? Or what movie shows a feather landing at the feet of a man sat on a bench with a box of chocolates?
Videos are another form of visual input: one of the brain's favorite ways to learn...
Has video help you in learning a new language? If so we'd love to hear how you feel that it has helped you. Please e-mail us using the form below and share your language learning experiences.