On the Function of English Film Appreciation Course in English Study

Appreciation Course in English Study

作者：宫美琳

来源：《科技视界》 2014年第15期

宫美琳

（青岛大学 思想政治理论教学部，山东 青岛 266071）

【Abstract】With the constant development of society, traditional English

curriculum neither meets the requirements of the new English teaching reforms, nor the status of the increasingly international exchanges. As a new type of learning material, the characteristics of English films make them fit for the needs of students’ English learning. Based on the above mentioned situation, this thesis would analyze the advantages of films in English learning. English movie

appreciation can stimulate students’ interests in learning, create good language learning environment and atmosphere, thus, rapidly improve the students’ English learning achievement and ability to use language.

【Key words】Listening and speaking abilities; Interests; Culture

1 To Develop Students’ Listening and Speaking Abilities

The English movie appreciation can make a complete language situations, it can develop students’ senses of the phrase, and improve listening and speaking abilities.

Language is some kind of talent. Human beings are born with a language

acquisition. If not through the process of learning, it can also be learned in a language environment stimulation. English movie is different from the scene in the classroom simulation. It has created a real language environment, offered an excellent opportunity to practice English speaking and listening. English movies have the natural environment of the language of communication, coupled with facial expressions, gestures and body, to maximize the reflection of the appeal of the films. Students are easy to accept those appropriate languages, which covers voice, intonation, rhythm, words, thoughts and feelings, and other major elements. This

language mixed with learning, living, emotion and thinking makes it more vitalistic. Students will unconsciously learn standard English and easily improve their English communication while watching a movie. The movie can inspire our imagination. Such as a piece of science fiction, it may lead you into the sci-fiction boundaries. Science fiction reflects the essence of the life in the imagination of the world. The value of science fiction pieces is that it may become extremely true in the world of imagination. So we feel the presence of the real world vividly.

2 To Help Stimulate Interest in English Learning

Einstein said that interest is the best teacher. The original movie helps to develop interests in learning English. The original film is an effective way to appreciate the English research.

The materials that films provide are both audio and visual, which help students learn English more easily. That’s because while students are watching a film, they not only listen to the characters’ speech but also watch their movements,

beautiful heroines and handsome heroes, appreciate beautiful scenery and listen to pleasant songs and fluent dialogues. These can really motivate students’

initiative and enable them to learn in a relaxing and cheerful atmosphere. In addition, the scenes, the lines or other aspects that films bring will probably influence learners’ capacity as they do in real life. When they finish the film and return to the real life, they may think of some topics related to the film and speak out the language more spontaneously.

3 To Broaden the Cultural Knowledge

The movie is a disseminator of culture. There are objective differences in customs, habits, human relationships, environments, traditions, popular characters in foreign countries, and these differences are reflected in the national language. With the deepening exchanges and interactions between China and foreign countries, some differences are understood and accepted by Chinese people. There are some differences in English movie storytelling, the development of the plot and

characters relationship with the Chinese thinking, and it is not enough to analysis these differences only by language. We need to understand Western culture, history and social issues to analyze and summarize. On the basis of understanding can we gradually try to experience the different values of the East and West and the different ways of thinking.

Learning English need to learn the national and cultural knowledge, we can learn the national cultural background knowledge through movies. It can not only help to broaden the vision, but also to deepen our understanding of the world. Film and television have become media not just for entertainment, but also a manifestation of the life.

４ Conclusion

English teaching and learning through films has both positive and negative parts, in terms of providing material source. Compared to other media, it’s

ultimately good for conducting classroom activity, practicing students’ speaking and listening ability, etc. English movie appreciation can stimulate students’ interests in learning, create good language learning environment and atmosphere, thus, rapidly improve the students’ English learning achievement and ability to use language. Meanwhile, it can promote students to understand the culture of Western countries.

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［责任编辑：曹明明］