Using film in the classroom can be effective with beginning English learners. A full-length film offers continuous context to discuss humor, culture, and language functions, real-life communication with images and non-verbal cues, increased retention due to activating the right hemisphere of the brain, and the lowering of students’ affective filters. The authors include a lesson based on their experience teaching listening and speaking skills using the movie “What about Bob.” Assessment techniques and potential problems are considered.

This story is about a man who honors his promise to meet his best friend in the same location where they met twenty years ago, before he headed West.

This story tells of Jimmy Valentine, a safe burglar who recently was released from prison. After robbing a few more safes, he decides to abandon his old life in favor of becoming a better citizen.

This story is about a homeless man who tries to get into prison in order to get free food and keep warm during the winter. Now with classroom activities and answer key.