When talking about acquiring English language skills, subtitles in films are often mentioned as a helpful technique. However, effectively applying this method for optimal results is a challenge many individuals encounter. It may also be a concept that educators have not considered as a method to enhance their teaching.

How can an ESL educator use movies and YouTube subtitles to teach English?  Keep scrolling down as we delve deeper into this topic and discover how to create engaging and high-quality ESL lessons for your students.

How To Use Movies And YouTube Subtitles To Teach English

When incorporating video subtitles in an ESL class, it’s crucial to follow a structured approach that initially includes watching the entire film or video with bilingual subtitles to ensure comprehension of the main content. Once that is established, engaging in activities becomes essential.

Learning English with movies is fun. Source: Unsplash

Here are some activities for checking student comprehension when working with separate scenes:

Choosing A Word

This lively and simple activity focuses on practicing and improving listening skills by repeating words from a movie or YouTube clip. Here’s how it works:

• Before watching the movie, assign each student a word appearing in the video at least once.
• While watching the video, students should stand up whenever they hear their assigned word and then sit back down.
• After the activity, have students re-watch the video with subtitles to learn more about the pronunciation and meaning of the vocabulary.

Matching Vocabulary Meanings

Get ready for the foundation of a significant boost in vocabulary improvement! In this activity, a list of words featured in the video becomes invaluable learning material.

The student’s objective is to match each word in one column with its corresponding meaning in the other column.

Once completed, learners can review and correct their results by re-watching the video with subtitles, guided by the teacher. This allows them to grasp the correct pronunciation of the words.

Let your students play games while learning. Source: Unsplash

Trying A Buzz Game

This activity is designed to evaluate the level of observation among your students; follow this guideline for a fun quality time together:

• Divide the class into small teams.
• Ask questions related to the video, such as “What does Peter say about his destination for the next holiday?”
• Play the video clip without subtitles; teams should listen carefully to find the answer.
• After a set time, replay the clip with subtitles and provide an explanation to check the results.

Ordering The Events

After viewing the entire video, the ESL educator supplies students with approximately ten cards (each outlines a specific event or scene from the movie).

The task is for students to arrange these cards in the correct chronological order, reconstructing the sequence of events depicted in the film.

This exercise sharpens memory skills and deepens students’ comprehension of the narrative structure.

Describing A Place/Scene

In this activity, each student gets the chance to select and describe their favorite movie scene, location, or character from the film or video. To ensure accuracy in English grammar, they can begin by writing down their descriptions.

To effectively organize this section, a valuable tip for you is to create a game involving different teams.

This way, team members can support one another in introducing new words and grammar usage. For example, determining the correct verb tense, simple or past tense.

By encouraging teamwork and fostering creative expression, this activity can both improve students’ language skills and add an enjoyable element to the learning process.

The Reason Why Using Movies and Youtube Subtitles To Teach English Are Good

The utilization of movies and YouTube subtitles as a tool for teaching English is backed by a strong rationale.

Our brains naturally seek pathways that facilitate information processing, making it easier to comprehend information in our native language than in another, like English.

Use of movies and videos works wonders for new learners. Source: depositphotos

That said, it does not mean using movie and YouTube subtitles to teach/learn English is useless. In contrast, it is a practical way, although students could find it difficult at the beginning.

When using English subtitles, students allow their brains to activate both speaking and listening parts. In this way, English words will “stick” to the brain for a long time.

Language Benefits

From a language perspective, it aids the brain in associating words with their meanings – this is what happens in our brains when we learn a new language.

The brain can assimilate the visual and auditory aspects of the language, contributing to improvements in reading speed, grammar, word recognition, and more.

Moreover, movies and YouTube videos use authentic language, including informal expressions, idioms, and colloquialisms.

By exposing students to real-life conversations and natural speech patterns, the tools help them become familiar with authentic English language usage.

Enjoyment Benefits

From an enjoyment standpoint, integrating movies with English subtitles injects an element of entertainment into the learning process.

If students do not find learning English exciting, it becomes harder for them to get the high effective result. Hence, this strategy is a suitable way to attract your student to the lesson.

Contextual Learning

Subtitles provide contextual cues that aid in comprehension and interpretation. Students can grasp the meaning of words and phrases by observing their use in specific situations and dialogues.

This assists in facilitating a deeper understanding of language nuances and cultural references.

Listening Comprehension Development

Watching movies and videos with subtitles encourages active listening and trains students’ ears to discern spoken English.

They can practice identifying spoken words and phrases while connecting them to the corresponding written forms.

How to use movies & YouTube subtitles to teach English – Source: Wallpaper Flare

Flexibility And Self-Paced Learning

Subtitles offer flexibility for individual learning preferences. Learners can pause, replay, or slow down the video to focus on specific scenes or challenging parts, allowing for self-paced learning and personalized language practice.

Suitable Learners

While learners can attempt this method at any stage, it offers the most significant support to individuals at lower proficiency levels.

The impact may be less noticeable for advanced students, as it primarily serves as recreational time rather than providing substantial challenges.

ESL educators are strongly encouraged to apply this approach with beginner or lower-intermediate students, since it can produce remarkable advancements and ensure a captivating classroom experience.

Additionally, numerous beginner-friendly resources, such as Grammar Wiki, are readily available to assist learners in kick-starting their language learning journey.

Tips to incorporate english subtitle into language teaching – Source: Pixabay

Conclusion

How to use movies and YouTube subtitles to teach English:  With these unique strategies and ideas for fostering an engaging language-learning environment, ESL educators can explore and develop their innovative approaches from now on.

How about you – what methods do you usually apply for your English class? For more exciting ideas for learning languages, feel free to share them with us.

People might live in the technological age, but human hardware hasn’t changed. For your child to develop physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, they need sensory play to engage with the world around them. The young serve as a valuable reminder to us all to step away from our phones and iPads and embrace real life, not a virtual one.

Children have managed just fine without screens since the dawn of humankind and continue to do so in some cultures today. Depriving this population of their need for sensory play stunts their growth, prompting mom and dad to step away from the computer and go outside.

Why is limiting the hours your child spends on a tablet crucial to their development? Here are five reasons you should encourage sensory play over screen time.

1. It Encourages Oral Language and Communication Skills

You communicate as much by how you say something — your tone of voice, attitude and inflection — as you do by the words you choose. Interacting on a screen helps children build written communication skills but can leave them woefully behind in speaking with others. This inability will plague them through life, as research shows that relationships play a far more vital role in getting ahead than talent. Your kids need to know how to speak with other people.

How do children develop this skill? They do so in large part by engaging in sensory play with their peers. In such relationships, there’s no power differential — kids don’t have to defer to authority as they do when speaking with adults. Nature and science guide them.

How? Sensory play encourages new neural connections in the brain. This helps your child see the world differently, including through others’ eyes. They also develop mindfulness, learning how they should express things to others and assert their needs while remaining respectful of other people’s desires.

2. It Keeps Kids More Physically Active

The obesity epidemic continues among America’s children. Childhood obesity has tripled in the past several decades, and one in three qualifies as overweight or obese today. Part of the problem is too much sedentary time spent on screens.

Sensory play gets young bodies off couches and moving. Even children who don’t enjoy competitive sports get into activities like kiddie yoga and dance. What child hasn’t spontaneously jumped on a bed? While you might want to take your kids to the park for a safer environment for rough and tumble play, most youngsters love to move, given the opportunity.

3. It Engages Children With the Wider World Around Them

Some psychologists consider children “blank slates,” but this innocence extends beyond not knowing how to read or write. It encompasses everything — from how they relate emotionally to other living things to looking at a pile of sticks and realizing they could build a miniature log cabin.

Everything is new to a child, not only their minds. They need to use their bodies, senses and emotions, developing and honing those, too. They do so by engaging with the wider world around them, getting dirty, making mud pies, climbing trees and occasionally scraping knees.

4. It Encourages Creativity and Problem-Solving

Even the best educational tablet game can only present so many possible answers to multiple-choice questions. However, life isn’t as neatly defined as an academic test. There are often dozens of ways to get to the “right” answer — and there may be five or six correct solutions to boot.

Sensory play encourages creativity and problem-solving. For example, a child playing with homemade play-dough has to figure out for themselves how to change the consistency if it won’t mold into the shapes they want. Adding a little extra water might not be a huge thing for an adult, but it represents a significant problem-solving step among tiny tots.

5. It Builds Resilience and Emotional Regulation

Resilience is your ability to bounce back from difficult situations. Emotional regulation refers to being able to recognize and effect change in how you feel by choosing behaviors that improve your outlook. Both skills are important to making it in a highly competitive world where your kids will eventually meet with challenges and uncomfortable situations.

You can’t learn to regulate emotions that you haven’t first experienced. Sensory play allows children to encounter these feelings in a safe arena first, so they can develop the skills to manage them when the stakes are higher. For example, losing a little league game teaches kids how to handle disappointment while remaining a good sport.

How do you develop resiliency? It’s very similar — you have to first undergo adversity. Sensory play allows children to encounter this in a safe, natural way.

For example, a child who is building a sandcastle might try several different techniques until they create a recognizable structure, but there are no harsh penalties for all the “buildings” that collapse while they hone the process. Your child’s only hurdle to overcome is their frustration — but that’s a crucial lesson to learn.

Encourage Sensory Play Over Screen Time

Today’s children spend too much time on screens, affecting their physical, mental and emotional health and development. This is why parents and schools should encourage more sensory play at home and while learning.

The five above reasons justify encouraging sensory play over screen time. Doing so fosters healthy development and emotionally resilient children.

About the Author
Ava Roman (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Revivalist, a women’s lifestyle magazine that empowers women to live their most authentic life. When Ava is not writing you’ll find her in a yoga class, advocating for her children or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen!

In the age of technology, where information is at our fingertips and digital footprints are omnipresent, parenting has undoubtedly evolved. But the question remains: should parents keep tabs on their children? It’s a hotly debated topic, with parents and experts on both sides of the fence.

The Modern Parenting Landscape

The modern parenting landscape, while presenting opportunities for enriched learning and global connectivity, poses unique challenges that parents of previous generations didn’t encounter. As Melinda Gates once expressed, “I spent my career in technology. I wasn’t prepared for its effect on my kids.” The ubiquity of the internet and social media in children’s lives exposes them to a host of potential dangers, such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content and online predators.

The digital world also amplifies peer pressure and the pursuit of online validation, which can affect a child’s mental health. Professor Sherry Turkle of MIT aptly noted, “These days, insecure in our relationships and anxious about intimacy, we look to technology for ways to be in relationships and protect ourselves from them at the same time.”

Societal Changes

Society has changed significantly over the last few decades. Children now face challenges that their parents could never have imagined, from cyberbullying to screen addiction.

These changes have led many parents to believe in the necessity of monitoring their children, not just for their safety but also for their mental and emotional well-being.

Additionally, the increase in screen time disrupts physical activity, face-to-face social interaction, and even sleep patterns. Furthermore, the surge in remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened concerns around screen addiction and the digital divide. In this landscape, parents grapple with protecting their children’s safety and well-being while fostering their independence and digital literacy.

However, it’s crucial to remember, as Bill Gates said, “Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is most important.” Despite the challenges of the digital age, human interaction and emotional understanding remain at the heart of effective parenting.

Technological Advances

Technological advances have fundamentally changed the dynamics of parenting. Devices and applications designed for parental control provide a level of visibility into children’s lives that was unthinkable just a few decades ago.

For instance, GPS trackers can provide real-time location data, giving parents peace of mind about their child’s physical safety. Social media monitoring tools can alert parents to potentially harmful content or interactions, helping to protect children from online dangers such as cyberbullying or inappropriate content.

There are also software solutions that allow parents to limit screen time, restrict access to certain apps or websites, or even monitor text messages and calls. These tools can be valuable in guiding children towards responsible digital behavior and ensuring their online safety.

However, these same technologies pose significant challenges. The ease of surveillance can lead to over-monitoring, infringing on a child’s privacy, and potentially undermining trust. There’s a delicate balance between ensuring a child’s safety and respecting their growing need for independence. Excessive monitoring may also stifle a child’s ability to develop essential life skills, such as risk assessment, decision-making, and handling adverse situations.

Moreover, these technologies raise ethical questions around consent and autonomy. At what age should a child have a say in their digital surveillance? How can parents ensure they’re not misusing these tools? How can these technologies be used to foster open communication about digital safety, rather than creating a culture of secrecy and fear?

In the face of these technological advances, parents need to navigate a landscape that’s continually evolving, weighing the benefits of digital monitoring tools against the potential risks and ethical considerations. Parenting in the digital age is uncharted territory, requiring ongoing conversations, education, and mindful decision-making.

Arguments in Favor of Monitoring Children

Monitoring tools can help parents safeguard their children from these potential harms, intervening when necessary to provide guidance. Furthermore, tracking devices can assure parents about their children’s physical whereabouts, particularly useful in cases of younger children or those with special needs. Advocates of child monitoring also argue that it can help instill good digital habits, such as responsible social media use and balanced screen time, ultimately aiding children in becoming responsible digital citizens.

Child Safety Concerns

One of the primary arguments for monitoring children is ensuring their safety. With dangers ranging from online predators to dangerous trends spreading on social media, parents may feel that it’s their responsibility to protect their children by keeping a watchful eye on their activities.

Here are some of the key safety concerns parents may have, along with ways that monitoring can help address them:

Internet Dangers

The internet, while a source of endless knowledge, is also rife with potential risks. Parents who monitor their children’s online activities often aim to safeguard them from inappropriate content, cyberbullying, or potential scams.

Prevention of Risky Behavior

Monitoring can also deter children from engaging in risky behavior, such as underage drinking or drug use. Knowing that their parents might find out about their actions can be a powerful deterrent for some kids.

Arguments Against Monitoring Children

Invasion of Privacy

On the other hand, critics argue that constant monitoring can infringe on a child’s privacy. They assert that everyone, including children, deserves a private space to grow and make mistakes.

Impeding Independence and Self-reliance

Too much parental control can also hamper a child’s growth towards independence and self-reliance. Children learn from their mistakes, and shielding them from every potential risk could deprive them of these valuable life lessons.

Breeding Mistrust

Moreover, constant surveillance might lead to a breakdown of trust. Children might feel their parents don’t trust them, leading to resentment and possible rebellious behavior.

The Balance: Respectful Monitoring

Striking the right balance between monitoring and respecting a child’s autonomy can be challenging. Respectful monitoring involves setting clear boundaries, communicating openly about expectations, and using parental controls judiciously.

It’s about guiding children rather than controlling them, fostering trust rather than suspicion. As Dr. Laura Markham aptly states, “When we parent respectfully, we try to meet everyone’s needs, including our own.” This encapsulates the essence of respectful monitoring, where the goal is to ensure children’s safety while also preserving their autonomy and fostering mutual trust.

Case Studies

In-depth case studies can provide valuable insights into this complex issue. For instance, a family may share their positive experience with open communication and limited monitoring, while another might credit strict surveillance with preventing a potential tragedy. These real-life examples can help parents navigate their own approach to monitoring.

Expert Advice

Child psychologists, educators, and other experts generally advocate for a balanced approach. Too much control can stifle a child’s development, while too little can leave them vulnerable. The key is to foster open dialogue, encourage responsible behavior, and step in when necessary to ensure safety.

When using free mobile tracker like Hoverwatch, parents should start by having an open conversation with their children about why they feel the need to use such tools. It’s crucial to clarify that the purpose is not to invade their privacy but to ensure their safety in the digital world. Parents should also set clear boundaries around the use of these tools, ensuring they’re used responsibly and not as a means of control.

It’s also recommended to involve children in the process of setting up these apps. This can help them understand what the app does and why it’s being used, fostering a sense of trust and openness.

Finally, these apps should not replace direct communication with your child. Regular check-ins about their digital experiences and concerns can go a long way in fostering a healthy digital environment.

As renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Shefali Tsabary once said, “When you parent, it’s crucial you realize you aren’t raising a ‘mini me,’ but a spirit throbbing with its own signature.” This quote serves as a reminder that while monitoring tools can be helpful, they should be used in a way that respects a child’s individuality and fosters their personal growth.

Conclusion

Parenting in the modern age is a complex task filled with new challenges and opportunities. The debate over whether to monitor children is nuanced, with valid arguments on both sides. Ultimately, the decision lies with each individual parent, who must consider their child’s unique needs, maturity level, and the family’s values. The golden rule seems to be finding a balance, allowing kids the freedom to grow while ensuring their safety.

FAQs

Q1: How can I monitor my child without invading their privacy?

A: Open communication is key. Explain your concerns and the reason for any monitoring. Use parental controls with a focus on safety rather than control.

Q2: What are some signs that I might be over-monitoring my child?

A: If your child seems overly anxious, secretive, or resentful, it may indicate that they feel excessively monitored. These feelings could also suggest a breakdown of trust.

Q3: How can I protect my child from online dangers without constant surveillance?

A: Teach your child about potential online risks and how to handle them. Encourage them to come to you with any concerns or uncomfortable experiences.

Q4: How can I foster trust while still keeping my child safe?

A: Be transparent about your actions and intentions. Show respect for their privacy and autonomy, and they’ll be more likely to respect the boundaries you set.

Q5: What are some effective tools for parental monitoring?

A: There are various tools available, from GPS trackers to social media monitoring apps. However, these should be used responsibly, with respect for your child’s privacy.

Are you considering enrolling your child in violin lessons? Apart from being a delightful musical instrument, the violin offers numerous benefits for children. In this article, we will explore the advantages of regular lessons for your child’s development, including cognitive, emotional, and social benefits.

It’s true that the violin is a challenge to learn and in the beginning, it’s not so easy on the ears for parents. But this is one of the main reasons why violin lessons offer so many benefits for learning. Before long, beautiful sounds will fill your home and the future home of your grown up child for years to come.

So, let’s dive in!

1.  Cognitive Development

Regular lessons provide a significant boost to your child’s cognitive abilities. Learning to play the violin requires concentration, focus and memorization of musical notes. This process strengthens neural connections enhancing their memory and overall cognitive skills. Studies have shown that children who learn to play the violin often exhibit improved problem-solving abilities and better spatial-temporal skills.

2.  Discipline and Perseverance

Playing the violin demands discipline and perseverance. Consistent practice, following instructions and working on challenging musical pieces instill a sense of discipline in your child. By sticking to a regular practice schedule and striving to improve. They learn the value of hard work, patience, and persistence – all essential qualities that can benefit them in various aspects of life.

3.  Emotional Expression

The violin is a versatile instrument that allows children to express their emotions through music. Regular lessons provide a platform for your child to communicate their feelings, be it joy, sadness or excitement. Playing the violin can serve as a therapeutic outlet helping your child navigate and manage their emotions effectively.

4.  Fine Motor Skills

Mastering the violin lessons requires precise control of the bow and finger placement on the strings. Through regular practice your child’s fine motor skills will improve significantly. This enhanced dexterity not only benefits their violin playing but also extends to other activities requiring hand-eye coordination, such as sports or writing.

5.  Confidence and Self-esteem

As your child progresses in their lessons, they will experience a growing sense of accomplishment. This achievement boosts their self-confidence and self-esteem. Performing in front of others during recitals or competitions further enhances their stage presence and ability to handle pressure, nurturing a healthy sense of self-assurance.

6.  Social Skills and Teamwork

Violin lessons often include group activities such as ensemble playing or orchestra participation. These collaborative experiences foster social skills and teamwork in your child. They learn to listen, adapt, and synchronize with others.  This develops important skills for cooperative work and social interactions throughout their lives.

7.  Cultural Appreciation

The violin is an instrument deeply rooted in various cultures and musical traditions. By learning to play the violin, your child gains a greater appreciation for different musical genres and cultures. This exposure broadens their horizons, fosters empathy, and cultivates a lifelong love for music.

Conclusion

Enrolling your child in regular violin lessons can be a transformative experience. Beyond the joy of learning music, lessons offer a wide array of benefits, including;

• cognitive development
• discipline
• emotional expression
• improved motor skills
• confidence
• social skills
• cultural appreciation

So, consider providing your child with the enriching experience of learning the violin and watch them thrive in multiple aspects of life.