MOVIES IN TEACHING LITERATURE

Lanie M. Lumanog

21st-century teaching with movies is contemporary and gradually being considered vital tool because of the addition of “viewing” as one of the macro-skills in becoming a competent individual in English as a secondary language. For many years now even before the pandemic, teachers of literary appreciation and comprehension enrichment using literary texts employ viewing of movies, videos, and films to achieve relevant lesson objectives. One of the best things is adaptations of famous literary texts that go beyond time and place. They are across genres and languages which tackle cultures, history, future, social problems, and many more. There are those from the most influential like Bible Stories, old like Beowulf, contemporary like Fault in our Stars, popular like superhero movies, emerging like queer-themed, etc. As teachers of literature, it is our vital role to make sure that our learners are being catered to various ways to acquire high-order thinking skills through narratives, poems, and other types and forms. Furthermore, learners should be directed to find the best ways for them to learn. With so many available informative, communicative and technological platforms and learning tools, making them aware of the proper standards in choosing the literary texts to indulge in is equally essential. As much as literary appreciation can be utilized for educational purposes, it could also be a distraction for the actual planned instructional results and assessment outputs. Consequently, in the hype of the Wattpad, a free digital platform for mostly stories created by famous authors or novice writers, many students had truly enjoyed their access to it anytime and anywhere which included class hours, study time at home, and most especially recess time. For sure, literary appreciation had increased at the time because many stories on the platform were adopted to box office movies. This only proves the importance of the setting of learning objectives that are aligned with the learning strategies aided by contextualized learning tools and materials which are innovative, creative, and sensitive to the needs of the 21st century, especially their information and communication technology needs. Thus, movies are sure great help, but with the utmost consciousness of teachers on how it would be best to deliver its purpose.

The author

is Master Teacher

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I at Pandacaqui Resettlement Elementary School— East Sector