First English learning documentary video series launches this spring
UK filmmaker Daniel Emmerson and his co-producer Joel Carr travelled with a list of questions including, “What is the most difficult aspect of learning English?” An experienced ESL teacher himself, Emmerson was inspired to create the series after noticing a large divide between students who take English for exam purposes and those who want to communicate in English in their daily life. Interviews were conducted in a case-study format, providing important insight into how ESL exams and current learning environments prepare students for work/life with native speakers. Emmerson calls the documentary series a collaborative affair that allowed him to “combine his passions” for film and language. After visiting the college centre of Cambridge in England, Emmerson noted: “I found it almost inconceivable to find that one of the most diverse and international communities I have ever come across was to be found no further than 70 miles away from where I grew up!” However, with so many students travelling to America to study English, the crew felt it was crucial to take the film beyond Europe. “New York is a metropolis of culture and language. I cannot think of a better destination for international students to study English and American culture,” said Emmerson. The filmmaker felt that capturing ideas and experiences from different parts of the globe was an essential aspect of the series and hopes to continue the project in Asia and South America in 2009.
The film’s sponsor, EnglishClub.com, will make the films available for free online viewing as a 6-part mini-series starting this Spring. Any organisation interested in posting the films on their site will have access to the embedding code. Downloadable and DVD versions will also be available for special purposes. Each film will be available both with and without subtitles, making for useful teaching aids. The series may also be used in conjunction with class project work based on free worksheets provided by EnglishClub.com. EnglishClub.com, a free independent website that offers e-learning materials and interactive resources for ESL students and teachers, is the parent site of TEFL.net which sponsored Emmerson’s previous documentary film “Talking TEFL”, an exploration of Teaching English as a Foreign Language. EnglishClub.com founder Josef Essberger commented: “Members and visitors have been following the film crew since the early stages of production via Daniel’s official film blog. Over 1,500 readers submitted comments to the blog during the production stage and the video blogs alone have accumulated thousands of views.” Blog readers were invited to participate in the making of the film by offering suggestions and answering questions that pertained to the study. The central audience of the “Learning English Video Project” is ESL students, especially those considering studies in a foreign country. “Being able to film on location meant we could capture a real essence of street life,” said Emmerson. This is something many ESL students do not have the privilege of doing before they register for a programme away from home. ESL schools and organizations will also be interested in showing this film as a learning aid and/or introductory video. Admin | Posted 9:24 am GMT Thursday, January 15th, 2009 | Filed under Press Releases
9 Responses to “First English learning documentary video series launches this spring”Leave a Comment |
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Cambridge, UK - An independent UK film crew has set out to answer a series of questions, about how and why so many people are learning English as a foreign language. The “Learning English Video Project” was shot in England, Morocco, Romania, Spain and the USA and is now in post-production. This is the first documentary series of its kind to touch on all of the main aspects of ESL (English as a Second Language) from the student’s perspective.
29th March 2009 at 10:01 am
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21st March 2010 at 1:36 am
Dear Sir
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1st April 2010 at 6:15 am
Dear Sir
I am zainullah form Afganistan
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regards
shaheedzoy
22nd November 2010 at 1:19 am
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26th March 2011 at 6:48 pm
I think this videos is way to show the same problem that could have the student to study english like a second language and it is better stay in a country that speak english because complementary the study, principal in listen and speak.
30th September 2011 at 12:29 pm
Dag nabbit good stuff you whipprensaperps!
20th July 2012 at 12:29 am
I think this is a terrific idea, and I look forward to watching the mini-series. Often, programs about ESL students focus on new immigrants who move to another country with their family to start a new life. I teach students who choose Canada as a place of study; they may or may not become landed immigrants or citizens. By focusing on the experience of the international student, this program could help students and their families know what to expect in another country. I’m interested in knowing how ESL students choose the country in which they will study. What is important to the international student?
1st August 2012 at 9:35 am
DIGGING UP THE DREAMS
The sky was a wearied shepherd in the cave of gloom
The black thunderclouds were recalcitrant elephants
Raging furiously on the monumental mountain range
Protesting over the rumoured imminent resurrection
Of the conquering glory of the redeeming sharp sun rays
Lightning hurled the fragile time bomb across the sky
A crash, a bang and a roar crippled the lanky landlords
The mortally wounded walls groaned, cursed and crashed
Over the sharp floods that devoured the vast landmarks
Like famished dogs feasting on delicious thighbones
The downtrodden brooks roared like seven thunders
The numerical murmur of the galloping snowy waterfalls
Enriched the harmonious heartbeat of the kettle drum
The wailing waves were tired troops of travailing timbers
Herded hysterically towards the monolingual sawmill
The victorious sunrays are potent poets’ prime pen pals
Digging up the golden dreams buried in the cold rooms
Within the footfalls on the foot mats under the foot stools
The global altar smells of the genius’ refreshing midnight oil
The balmy eternal tempo of the watchful creative heart beats
10th October 2012 at 5:39 am
Avery good move. I have been teaching English at different levels for about four decades. Three years ago I had a young British man to help me.He had done his TEFL.Sadly,his spelling,personal hygiene,maturity and the attributes of a teacher were all missing in him.I think many others had similar ENGLISH TEACHERS and hence,though belated, this move.