The goal of this work is to show possibilities and to analyze the usability for working with the film “the pursuit of happyness” (spelled on purpose with an “y” instead of an “i”) in class. I will start with a summarize of the films content in a short form (chapter two). Chapter three will introduce and analyze the main topics of the film. In chapter four, the main part of this term paper, will try to explain why this film is a good choice for working with it in the EFL classroom. Hereby I will try to show how this film can be embedded in topics of the German curriculum.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Summary
- Analyze Main Topics
- American Dream „if you want something go and get it“
- Poverty „possible means no“
- Relationship father-son „you gotta trust me, all right?“
- Money „the pursuit of happiness“
- Explanation
- Teaching sequence
- Teaching sequence: Diary of a homeless
- Conclusion
- Works cited
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper, written for the seminar "Teaching (with) Films", examines the potential of using the film "The Pursuit of Happyness" in an EFL classroom. The primary objective is to analyze the film's content and demonstrate its suitability for use in a German EFL curriculum. The paper explores the film's themes, highlighting its potential to engage students and provide valuable insights into the English language and culture. * **The American Dream:** The film explores the concept of the American Dream, demonstrating the challenges and opportunities associated with achieving success in American society. * **Poverty and its Impact on Families:** The film portrays the struggles faced by families living in poverty, highlighting the strain it can place on relationships and the difficulty of escaping its clutches. * **The Importance of Perseverance:** The film emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity, showing how hard work and determination can lead to a better future. * **The Value of Education:** While the film itself doesn't explicitly address education, the paper explores how the film could be used to discuss the importance of education in achieving success in the modern world. * **Father-Son Relationship:** The film features a close and heartwarming relationship between a father and son, illustrating the importance of family and the challenges of raising children in difficult circumstances.Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The introduction outlines the paper's purpose, which is to explore the educational value of using "The Pursuit of Happyness" in an EFL classroom. It highlights the advantages of using films in EFL teaching, particularly the combination of visual and auditory learning opportunities.
- Summary: This chapter provides a concise overview of the film's plot, introducing the main characters, Chris Gardner and his son, and their struggle against poverty and homelessness. It outlines Chris's journey from a struggling salesman to a successful stockbroker, emphasizing the challenges and sacrifices he makes along the way.
- Analyze Main Topics: This chapter delves deeper into the key themes of the film, examining how the film portrays the American Dream, the impact of poverty on families, and the importance of perseverance.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key themes and concepts explored in this term paper include the American Dream, poverty, perseverance, father-son relationships, and the use of films in EFL teaching. The paper also draws upon real-world examples and research on the effectiveness of film-based learning in foreign language classrooms.
Excerpt out of 11 pages
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- Quote paper
- Nadine Custer (Author), 2012, Teaching the Movie "The Pursuit of Happyness", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/263869
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