Discussing Movies or TV Programs (Intermediate)

Practice on Your Own

• Look up popular movies and television shows from at least one country where the language is spoken. Are any available to watch online?
• Practice or review related vocabulary: television, movie/film, character, actor/actress, plot, television channel, cinema, episode, season, drama, comedy, trailer, etc.
• Practice telling someone about your favorite movie or television show. Give as much detail as you can.
• If you were making plans to go to the movies in the language, what would you tell someone about the type of movie you’d like to see? Practice stating your preferences and asking a friend about their preferences. Can you find actual movie listings online?
• If possible, watch a clip of a movie or television show in the language without subtitles. If no clips are available, you might be able to look up a trailer on YouTube. See how much you understand. Note any differences you see with American media or media from your home country.

Practice in Conversation Session

• In your session, describe your favorite movie or television show to your conversation partner and fellow students, just like you did in practice. Make sure to cover main plot points as well as the genre of the show and your basic opinions about the content. Have your conversation partner do the same about a show you have not seen. Make sure you understand their comments.
• Spend some time talking about movies and television generally. Which genre do you prefer? Who is your favorite actor/actress?
• Role play a scenario in which you and your conversation partner are discussing which movie or show to watch. Imagine there are several options available, in different genres with different actors. Practice negotiating what to watch. (If possible, look at actual movie or television listings from a country where the language is spoken.)
• If you were able to watch a clip in the language, briefly describe the clip to your conversation partner. If there is time, maybe you can watch the clip together and ask your conversation partner about anything you don’t understand.
• You can ask your conversation partner to recommend a television show or movie in the language to watch on your own.