Business Documentaries/Reality TV

in the ClassroomBarry Hawthorne

Eltaf Members‘ Day28 September 2013

Comprehension (Confessions of a Superhero) Warmers (Freakonomics/Life in a Day) Case Study (Theo’s Adventure Capitalists) Grammar (Around the World/Salesman) Vocabulary (The Best Movie Ever Made,

Around the World, The Queen of Versailles) Discussions & Debating (Capitalism) Concepts (Dragons‘ Den)

Content

1. They are usually about one main topic2. The structure of documentaries: intro; middle; end3. Provides a good mix of scripted and non-scripted

language4. Exposes students to authentic accents and real

English (native as well as non-native) 5. Introduces students to cultural aspect of language6. Versatile and adaptable7. The power of documentaries: stimulating and

motivating

Why Use Documentaries?

Topic: Human resources/careersTime: 15 minsObjective: To understand what each of the characters think about their job/careerMethod: Simple comprehension questionsMaterial: ML (Upper Int.)(3rd Ed) Unit 5: Job Satisfaction; ML (Int.)(3rd Ed) Unit 8: Human ResourcesTime: 2:20 – 6:35

Confessions of a Superhero

Topic: Economic value of a name/Capitalism/WTOTime: 10minsObjective: To introduce the topic/warmerMethod: Play the first 4/5 mins and then discuss. ‘Is there (any) economic value to your name?’ (Freakonomics)‘Is the world economic system inherently unfair?’ (Life)Book: Speak Out (Adv.) – Unit 1: OriginsTime: 05:45 – 11:00

Freakonomics/Life in a Day

Topic: Marketing/Advertising/SalesTime: 45 minsObjective: To sell/market a product to a market which will probably hate it.Method: Watch documentary for 6 mins. Stop. Students discuss possible was of marketing Marmite to the Indian market. Feedback. Play conclusion. Time: 07:51 – 29:50

Theo‘s Adventure Capitalists

Topic: Past Perfect/Negotiating/BrandsTime: 30 minsObjective: To visualize the concept of time (in English) and the connection between the past simple and perfectMethod: Using the boards as a visualization toolBook: ML (Int.) 3rd ed. Unit 1: BrandsTime: 7:56 – 15:00

Around the World in 80 Trades

Topic: Vague language/Wealthy idiotsTime: 20 minsObjective: Listening for detail inadvertentlyMethod: Play and then introduce language on the board by asking questionsBook: English Vocab in Use (Adv) – Unit 87: Vague LanguageTime: 6:44 – 16:04

The Queen of Versailles

Topic: Insurance/EthicsTime: 40 minsObjective: Introduce/practice critical thinkingMethod: Pre–teach some vocabulary (10 words/phrases)Explain the concept of being a ‘devil‘s advocate‘. Hand out

cards randomly with ‘ Devil‘ or ‘ Advocate‘ on them.Watch the DVD.In pairs one student volunteers to be the devil‘s advocate and

argues against the other person.Book: ML (Int.) (3rd Ed) Unit 10: EthicsTime: 39:30 – 45:00

Capitalism: A Love Story, etc.

Topic: Brand integration/Co-promotion/Pitching a productTime: 10 - 30 minsObjective: Review types of advertisingMethod: After dealing with vocab, play the DVD and ask the students to name as many advertising techniques that they are bombarded with.Book: ML (Int.) (3rd Ed) Unit 5: AdvertisingTime: Start – 4:00/38:06 – 42:00

The Best Movie Ever Sold

Topic: Pitching a productTime: 25 minsObjective: To review the 4PsMethod: Ask the students to identify the 4PS (product/price/place/promotion)Book: Business Vocab in Use (2nd Ed.) – Unit 21: Marketing and market orientation

Dragons‘ Den

1. Look for repetition (grammatical & lexical patterns)

2. Three stages: pre-watching/watching/after watching

3. Look/listen for mistakes in the (spoken) text4. Use the subtitles for teaching lexical structures,

grammar and function (freeze frame)5. Find an appropriate text and type it out (fill-in-

the-blanks)

Creating your own materials

Masters of Money Salesman The Ascent of Money Walmart Sicko Plunder Black Gold When China Met Africa Enron I.O.U.S.A Mr. IKEA The Oil Crash Inside Job

Other titles