Teaching French Language and Culture with French Feature Films on Videocassettes

Abstract

Teaching French Language and Culture with French Feature Films on Videocassettes Because of the videocassette recorder (VCR) and the increasing availability of reasonably priced French feature films on videocassette in NTSC (American television standard), teachers now have at their disposal an array of useful video documents to assist them in teaching French language and culture.In this article, the author examines the conceptual frameworkfor teaching with film on videocassette and discusses film in the classroom in terms of the following: as an authentic look at culture in general and as a revelation of verbal and nonverbal communication dynamics in particular. Conceptual Framework for Teaching with Film on Videotape Some years ago, William Markey (1976) wrote a short essay on using films in French language and literature courses."Commercial film," he said, " ... offers the advantage of being closer to reality in that it communicates by visual elements as well as oral ones, and is generally based on a strong narrative line" (p.731).

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